Nehemiah 8:17 “So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths & sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness.”
And there was very great gladness. Let that statement sink in. It sure sounds like everyone is having a great time. And they were. There was very great gladness! That is the description of God’s people in Nehemiah 8:17. Now for us to truly get the significance of that statement is to recall that the book of Nehemiah did not start with God’s people experiencing great gladness but rather with Nehemiah being told “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress.” They were in great distress.
The legacy of Nehemiah is with a dream, diligence, and determination he took people from great distress to great gladness.
Friends, look around and see the distress of your neighborhood, your city, your state, your country, your world. Maybe you even need to look at the distress of your home, your church, your school, etc. See the distress and decide to get involved to make a difference. Start dreaming and then do something!
Dare to be a Nehemiah and make a difference!
Do something today to move someone from great distress to great, very great gladness.
Continue Strong as a Difference Maker
And remember to DATE the Word