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DEDICATION (NEHEMIAH 12:27-47) LENT DAY 30

REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is “Dedication” Dedication means to ceremonially unveil or assign an edifice, monument or something of value to God for the purpose of it usage. Nehemiah and the people of Israel dedicated the reconstructed wall through an elaborate ceremony. We shall reflect on the fact that dedication is a ceremony observed to purify a thing or person to the glory of God and also to testify to God’s faithfulness.

Beloved in the Lord, a person or non-Israelite standing from afar or observing from afar will conclude that Nehemiah was the mastermind and the people of Israel were the labour force responsible for the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. However, Nehemiah and the people of Israel vividly acknowledged that God saw them through the project from the beginning to the end,therefore, it was imperative or important to dedicate the reconstruction of the wall to the glory of God through an elaborate ceremony of purification, thanksgiving and praise. The main act of dedication through the act of purifying the wall was done by the Priests who were supported by the Levites, therefore we are told “When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.” (Nehemiah 12:30). Beloved in the Lord, in the house of God, certain responsibilities are given to a particular group to perform. When it comes to offering sacrifices and purification ceremonies, they were the preserve of the Priests supported by the Levites. They have been consecrated to perform these functions. Nehemiah respected protocol and did the needful, although he took the initiative and was the brainchild or main architect of the rebuilding of the wall, he gave honour to whom honour was due and allowed everyone to play his or her function during the dedication of the wall. Dear friend, how often do we dedicate our achievements and the things we have acquired to the glory of God? It is a good practice for a believer to give glory to God by dedicating everything thing he or she owns and continues to own to God. When you gain employment, promotion, when you acquire a house either rented, built or bought, when you buy a car whether used or brand new, when you give birth or graduate from school it is important to go to your pastor or the priest for dedication. In fact, at every milestone of our lives, we are required to dedicate our achievements to God through a simple ceremony of dedication. This is one of the important functions of our pastors or priests in our lives. Some of us believers take some achievement for granted, perhaps, in our minds, some things were achieved through our effort, intelligence, and strength, and others are through the help of God. Jesus greatly reminds us that, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). A ceremony of dedication no matter the occasion is an acknowledgement of God’s glory in our lives.

Again, Nehemiah during the dedication ceremony said, “The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, ⁴¹ as well as the priests… The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. ⁴³ And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. (Nehemiah 12:40-43) In other words, everyone performed their roles in the house of God during the dedication of the wall and more importantly gave thanks and praise to God to the hearing of the neighbours of Israel. This a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Dedication ceremonies are days of bearing testimony to God’s faithfulness so that the world will appreciate the fact that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). Sometimes, we hide our testimonies and achievements, but when we are hard pressed or encounter challenges, we make so much noise about it. Sometimes, we make others believe that God is not faithful to us. Today, we have been greatly encouraged to celebrate our achievement and success by dedicating them to God and bearing testimony to His faithfulness through thanksgiving and praise. This is one of the ways to acknowledge the presence of God in our lives and to prove to non-believers that God truly exists and is worthy to be praised. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Dedication.” We have discovered that dedication is a ceremony observed to purify a thing or person to the glory of God and testify to God’s faithfulness. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Almighty, we completely dedicate our lives and all that we have to You as the giver and sustainer of our lives. Direct our path and continue to be our shield. Amen.