I have been reading in several different Old Testament books of the Bible. I usually prefer the New Testament. I do love Psalms. Well, I was reading a book that drew my attention to 2 Chronicles. I felt led to go there, and let me tell you that I have gained SO MUCH! However, it didn’t stop there as I continued with several other Old Testament books…
In 2 Chronicles, we see over and over how several of the kings of Judah did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. Yet, we see how God blessed and protected them when they pursued and followed His will.
In Ezra, we see God’s mighty hand of intervention.
In Esther, we see fasting and praying, and acts of great faith result in tables turned and honor given for God’s people. As a result, there was peace, security, and great celebration!
I just started in Job. We see here an innocent and righteous man’s suffering. Although I am not very far into the book yet, we know Job’s story…and that his suffering also ends with celebration. His test was brutal, but the story ends in victory.
One of my favorites was found in Zechariah:
““But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple! “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.” Here is another message that came to me from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The traditional fasts and times of mourning you have kept in early summer, midsummer, autumn, and winter are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration for the people of Judah. So love truth and peace.”
Zechariah 8:11-19 NLT
We see here that the people were in mourning for quite a long season. There was grief in the camp. But God said, “No longer!” It is time to get to work, walk right, AND celebrate! …in every season.
How often do we focus on the mourning and the grief [for which there is a season (see scripture below)], and the problems of life longer than we ought? How long do we put off celebrating? Do we celebrate a victory over and over; or do we dismiss too quickly and forget what God has done?
As I write this, we are in the midst of the fire so to speak. We have been facing an extremely difficult crisis; but as Steve and I discussed yesterday morning, God is with us in the fire, just like He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I was reminded from a friend’s post the other day that God didn’t deliver them from the fire, but He delivered them in the fire. He didn’t deliver Daniel from the lion’s den but in the lion’s den. (Thanks, Pastor Dan for sharing the post from “Salt & Light.”) God didn’t let Satan destroy them; but instead delivered them…and honored them. (See Daniel, chapters 3 & 6.)
Just as he delivered Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…and so many, many others, we can count on the fact that He is with us during the hard times when we are following and seeking Him. We must stand firm in the faith. Sometimes, we must wait on Him. And, sometimes, the answer is not exactly what we had hoped for…but OFTEN, He does give us the desires of our heart when we delight in Him. I have seen and experienced delighting in Him (and pray I do forevermore!), and have received so many desires that I am underserving of…but so thankful for!
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
Psalms 37:4-5 NLT
So, may I remind you to stay steady. Stand firm. Work. Pray—yes, pray!—but, recognize when to stand still and watch God move.
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act…”
Psalms 37:7 NLT
THEN—
PLEASE—
DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE!
When we have sought Him and begged Him for relief, whether He answers how we hoped or not [and sometimes He answers above what we can think or imagine (“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT)]…either way…
He deserves our praise.
He deserves our worship.
He deserves our humble thanks and not just in passing, but in awe and pause…over and over.
If we pause and give Him the thanks He deserves, how might our lives look different? Try it. You might like it. I think you’ll find yourself often walking in celebration mode. [Insert wink face.]
“A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”
Ecclesiastes 3:4 NLT
“Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes. These letters established the Festival of Purim—an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.)”
Esther 9:30-31 NLT
p.s…and that crisis I mentioned above…we already see God moving. He is our ever-present Help.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 ESV
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 
Love this….
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