Chuck Larsen

Under the newly established Government in Israel, the government subsidized the Priests, Levites, temple servants, and even the singers.  The King recognized the value of worshipping God in the land. He was conscious of its stabilizing influence in the citizens’ homes, families, and lives. To guarantee the continual exercise of worship in the new society, the King made provision for all religious workers. In Nehemiah 11:23, we read, “For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision for the singers, as every day required.”

In that culture, the government accepted its responsibility to support and promote singing with religious themes.  Our government doesn’t help it or even promote it. At best, we’re sometimes allowed to sing songs of a spiritual nature, but that is not often well received. Even the old Christmas classics that celebrate our Christian heritage are usually excluded by government decree from the classrooms and other establishments in our land.

In his “Notes on Western Civilization” in the Chicago Tribune, Dave Barry wrote, “To avoid offending anybody, the school dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. At my son’s school, they now hold the winter program in February and sing increasingly non-memorable songs such as “‘Winter Wonderland,’ ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and—this is a real song-‘Suzy Snowflake,’ all of which is pretty funny because we live in Miami. A visitor from another planet would assume that the children belonged to the Church of Meteorology.” Every Christian should have a song to God in his heart. In Ephesians 5:19, the apostle Paul speaks of “singing and making melody?” in our hearts to the Lord.

Revival found its way into the lives of the Israelites through their focus on God’s Word, followed by a passionate explosion of enthusiasm, which resulted in repentance, confession, and rededication of their lives to God. However, chapters 11 and 12 settle down to a firm establishment of order, with the priests and Levites assigned various responsibilities. Chapter 12 lists them in great detail and appoints some to specific responsibilities. In verse 8, six individuals and their brothers were “in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.” In verse nine, another group and their brothers “stood opposite them in the service,” assumedly as backup singers.

The thought struck me that all passion without order and structure doesn’t last very long. By utilizing gifts in the church, Paul addressed the Corinthian weakness of “all passion” without order. In 1 Corinthians 12–14, Paul encourages the free exercise of spiritual gifts while providing rules by which these gifts can operate “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). I’ve seen people break off established churches because they felt “restrained” or “overly restricted” by the established order. They say, “You can’t put new wine in old wineskins.” Only about 20 percent of new church plants survive for three years or more, but those that do find that their survival has its roots in a passionate revival followed by an establishment of order and infrastructure that sustains the effort. Jesus didn’t say, “You don’t need wineskins” to hold your wine. Just the opposite, you need “new ones.” Wine left without wineskins (order) eventually becomes mud.

The same is true in personal revival. When I first became a Christian, I couldn’t find enough time in my day to read the bible, pray, and talk about God with others. I never missed a church service. But after 50 years, I find that what has sustained my faith and spiritual growth has been harnessing my passion around a set of structured practices that I do, whether I feel like it or not. We cannot live on an emotional or spiritual high; we must allow the depth of our feelings to settle into an orderly lifestyle that reflects our professions. If not, we’ll often find that the seed of God’s word has fallen on shallow ground, and it won’t survive long enough to bring forth lasting fruit.

As Nehemiah was preparing for the dedication of the new Temple, he extended a joyous invitation to all those in the surrounding communities. His aim, as stated in Verse 12:27, was to bring them to Jerusalem for a celebration filled with gladness, thanksgiving, singing,  and the harmonious sounds of cymbals, harps, and lyres. It was a grand event, and the joy of Jerusalem was so resounding that it was heard far away, as we read in 12:43.

Jesus, too, extended numerous invitations in the Bible. His invitations were not mere suggestions but significant calls to action. They were invitations to follow him, to seek healing, health, and wholeness. His parables and lessons were filled with invitations, some overt, others more subtle. He even shared a story about an official who invited many to a significant celebration. Luke 14:18 reveals that despite the grandeur of the occasion, many made excuses. The official then sent his servants to invite anyone willing to join the celebration.

The essence of Jesus’ story is clear: the ‘good time’ he has planned for us is within our reach simply by accepting His invitation. Those who reject it will miss out on the greatest joys of all: celebrating with God for all eternity. Paul, too, extended an invitation to the Philippian jailer, urging him to’ believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.’ This invitation to faith is the key that unlocks the door to the eternal ‘good time’ God has prepared for all who believe in Him. The Bible ends with an invitation to everyone. Revelation 22:17 says, “The Spirit and the bride say, Come! Let the one who hears this say, Come! Let whoever is thirsty come; whoever wishes may have the water of life as a free gift.”