The Thanksgiving-Filled Wall Dedication

Aim: To immortalize and rejoice in the marvelous feats of God.

Doctrine: The church gets to enjoy the wonderful acts of God, with heartfelt gratitude. This is because His greatest deeds mark out redemptive milestones for us that are not to be forgotten by the body of Christ.

Exegesis: How the church celebrates Christ's grace, God's way: first, we recognize one of the Lord's momentous accomplishments (v. 27); then, we involve all the covenanted people of God (vv. 28-20); finally, we release our praise, with joy (vv. 31-37).

Further application: Why the church is wise to commemorate God's most magnificent feats: because they help to tie our hearts to Jesus by reminding us of all that He has done for us, in our salvation.

Key verse: v. 27 ''Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps.''