joy with those who serve

On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered.

Nehemiah 12:44

The revival of obedience to the Law and love for the Lord that had begun in Jerusalem had now spread to all of Judah. The surrounding villages and farms in the countryside spreading out from Jerusalem now brought in their tithes and firstfruits to the temple in order to support the ministry of the priests and Levites. And the attitude that accompanied their obedience was joy.. They rejoiced in what God was currently doing. There was a clear motivation of personal engagement. They worshiped and they gave with grateful hearts, rejoicing in worship as they brought their gifts.

The people of Judah were glad to have the temple rebuilt. They were glad to see Jerusalem secure with walls around the city again, knowing their gifts would not be pilfered by an army of invaders. They were rejoicing in the LORD for temple worship to be once again a part of their lives, happy to have servants of God ministering to them once more. They rejoiced in God, with temple worship and the Law at the center of Jewish life as well. This was the joy of being committed in covenant with God Himself.

Personally, I love that they rejoiced OVER those who served. This was more than “clergy appreciation day”. This was a joy that was found in the realization that these men served the God Who loved them and these men helped the people know, love, and obey the Lord. It was a thankfulness to God for His servants. It is an awareness of the beauty of mutual ministry. One of my absolute joys, a thrill that is hard to express with words, is when the people of my church, whom God has called me to love and serve, come alongside me and on occasion rejoice over me and the others who serve in ministry positions at Mill Creek. It is a thrill to work with volunteers who love God, love each other, and love me. It is a joy to have them rejoice in what God is doing through all of us together. It is the beauty of mutual ministry by God’s design and one of the deepest experiences of pure grace that I know.