Our society loves to celebrate. One scroll through Instagram and you’ll find everything from a mom praising her toddler for potty training, to a friend posting a birthday tribute, to an old college buddy relishing a game-day victory. Celebrating life’s milestones is beautiful—and it’s actually something God designed us to do. But what if celebration isn’t just acknowledging good moments, but intentionally recognizing God’s hand in all of them?
To celebrate means to publicly and purposefully honor and respond to God’s faithfulness with joy, gratitude, and praise. The Psalmist captures this calling perfectly when he writes, “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Celebration, at its heart, is an act of worship—one that reorients our hearts toward the One who has carried us through every season.
In Nehemiah 12, when the Israelites gathered to dedicate the wall of Jerusalem, we see this spirit of celebration lived out. In verses 27–28, the people first purified themselves before the dedication. This was their way of acknowledging that what they were celebrating was not their accomplishment, but God’s faithfulness. Celebration begins with remembering who truly brought us to where we are.
Then, in verse 43, we read that “they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy.” Their joy wasn’t rooted in circumstances—it was rooted in God Himself. Joy is something God gives, and it often comes as a result of lifting our praise, not waiting for everything to feel perfect first.
We also see in verses 44 and 47 that during this celebration, the people brought their offerings and fulfilled what God had asked of them. Their worship led to renewed commitment. What we celebrate reinforces what we treasure, and what we treasure is what we continue to build our lives around.
All of this wasn’t just about the past, though. The dedication of the wall was also a declaration of trust for the future—an expression of faith that the same God who had brought them here would continue to lead them forward. Celebration becomes a bridge between where we’ve been and where God is taking us next.
So how do we intentionally cultivate this same spirit in our daily lives—especially in seasons where celebration may feel distant or undeserved? One practical way is to adopt rhythms that keep our hearts tuned to God. The word PRAISE can help guide us:
P — Pause and Remember (Psalm 77:11)
R — Rejoice Out Loud (Psalm 107:2)
A — Acknowledge His Hand in Every Victory (James 1:17)
I — Involve Others (Psalm 145:4)
S — Sing and Worship Regularly (Psalm 34:1)
E — Expect God to Move Again (Psalm 27:13)
When we choose celebration, we remember God’s faithfulness, receive joy that strengthens us, realign our hearts with Him, and step confidently into the future with faith. This is the kind of Ephesians 3:20 life God desires for us—exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think!
