Nehemiah 12:43 "And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off."

This celebration follows the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, overseen by Nehemiah. It marks the end of the suffering of the exile, and a new beginning in Israel's history. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the people being in exile for decades, a new era has begun, marked by the completion of the rebuilding of the walls and gates that protect the city.

My posts are often concerned with the difficult times we are in and the still more difficult times to come, but this joy is also in our future. Our suffering will only last as long as it must to change hearts and minds. When God deems it time for it to end, He will call forth the rebuilders, like Nehemiah, and His people will rally. Our walls will be rebuilt, the Church will be given a new life, she will be the glorious city on the hill, the New Jerusalem. This will be a day of great rejoicing, when our joy will be heard afar off.

It is important to remember this as we go through our daily struggles and the worldwide struggles that seem so unfixable. God will bring us home, and we will rebuild. He knows exactly how and when to do this, and who to call to accomplish it.