October 11:  Happy People.

The Joy of Being Accepted Again.
So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy!  The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun.--Nehemiah 8:17, NLT


AND AT THE TIME APPOINTED--on the tenth day of the seventh month--the solemn services of the Day of Atonement were performed according to the command of God.

From the fifteenth to the twenty-second of the same month the people and their rulers kept once more the Feast of Tabernacles.  It was proclaimed "in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go Forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, everyone upon the roof of is house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God....And there was very great gladness."--Prophets and Kings, 665.

Israel had returned to God with deep sorrow for backsliding.  They had made confession with mourning and lamentation.  They had acknowledged the righteousness of God's dealings with them, and had covenanted to obey His law.  Now they must manifest faith in His promises.  God had accepted their repentance; they were now to rejoice in the assurance of sins forgiven and their restoration to divine favor.--Prophets and Kings, 667.

                          "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks,
                          and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.
                          This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don't be dejected and sad,
                                          for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
                              
                                                       --Nehemiah 8:10, NLT

October 10:  Happy People.

The Joy of Returning to God.
So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."  And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.--Nehemiah 8:11, 12, NKJV

IT WAS THE TIME OF THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS.  Many were gathered at Jerusalem.  The scene was one of mournful interest.  The wall of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the gates set up, but a large part of the city was still in ruins.

On a platform of wood, erected in one of the broadest streets, and surrounded on every hand by the sad reminders of Judah's departed glory, stood Ezra, now an aged man....

...Certain of the priests and Levites united with Ezra in explaining the principles of the law....

"And the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law."  They listened, intent and reverent, to the words of the Most High.  As the law was explained, they were convinced of their guilt, and they mourned because of their transgressions.  But this day was a festival, a day of rejoicing, a holy convocation, a day which the Lord had commanded the people to keep with joy and gladness; and in view of this they were bidden to restrain their grief and to rejoice because of God's great mercy toward them....

The earlier part of the day was devoted to religious exercises, and the people spent the remainder of the time in gratefully recounting the blessings of God and in enjoying the bounties that He had provided.  Portions were also sent to the poor, who had nothing to prepare.  There was great rejoicing because the word of the law had been read and understood.--Prophets and Kings, 661, 662.

                                    And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.
                                Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!"
                              
                                                    --Nehemiah 8:6, NKJV

October 9:  Happy People.

Rejoicing at the Dedication of the Temple.
Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.  Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.--Ezra 6:15, 16, NKJV

IN REBUILDING THE HOUSE of the Lord, Zerubbabel had labored in the face of manifold difficulties.  From the beginning, adversaries had "weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building," "and made them to cease by force and power."  Ezra 4:4, 23.  But the Lord had interposed on behalf of the builders.--Prophets and Kings, 594.

The promise, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it," was literally fulfilled [Zechariah 4:9].  "The elders of the Jews builded, and they proposed through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.  And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.  And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar [the twelfth month], which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king."  Ezra 6:14, 15.

Shortly afterward the restored temple was dedicated.  "The children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy;"--Prophets and Kings, 596.

                             And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy;
                                      for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart
                                   of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands
                                           in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
                                                                                                    --Ezra 6:22, NKJV

October 8:  Happy People.

Joy at the Passover Feast.
So the children of Israel who were at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing to the Lord, accompanied by loud instruments....Then the whole assembly agreed to keep the feast another seven days, and they kept it another seven days with gladness.--2 Chronicles 30:21, 23, NKJV

IN HIS ZEAL to make the temple services a real blessing to the people, Hezekiah determined to revive the ancient custom of gathering the Israelites together for the celebration of the Passover feast.--Prophets and Kings, 335.

On the appointed day of the Passover was observed, and the week was spent by the people in offering peace offerings and in learning what God would have them do.  Daily the Levites "taught the good knowledge of the Lord;" and those who had prepared their hearts to seek God, found pardon.  A great gladness took possession of the worshiping multitude; "the Levites and the priests the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments;" all were united in their desire to praise Him who had proved so gracious and merciful.

The seven days usually allotted to the Passover feast passed all too quickly, and the worshipers determined to spend another seven days in learning more fully the way of the Lord.  The teaching priests continued their work of instruction from the book of the law; daily the people assembled at the temple to offer their tribute of praise and thanksgiving; and as the great meeting drew to a close, it was evident that God had wrought marvelously in the conversion of backsliding Judah and in stemming the tide of idolatry which threatened to sweep all before it.  The solemn warning of the prophets had not been uttered in vain.  "There was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem" [2 Chronicles 30:26].--Prophets and Kings, 337.

October 7:  Happy People.

Rejoicing at the Restoration of the Temple Services.
"Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly."--2 Chronicles 29:36, NKJV

HEZEKIAH CAME TO THE THRONE determined to do all in his power to save Judah from the fate that was overtaking the northern kingdom....

...No sooner had he ascended the throne than he began to plan and to execute.  He first turned his attention to the restoration of the temple services, so long neglected; and in this work he earnestly solicited the co-opperation of a band of priests and Levites who had remained true to their sacred calling....

It was a time for quick action.  The priests began at once....They engaged heartily in the work of cleansing and sanctifying the temple.  Because of the years of desecration and neglect, this was attended with many difficulties; but the priests and the Levites labored untiringly, and within a remarkably short time they were able to report their task completed.  The temple doors had been repaired and thrown open; the sacred vessels had been assembled and put into place; and all was in readiness for the re-establishment of the sanctuary services.

In the first service held, the rulers of the city united with King Hezekiah and with the priests and Levites in seeking forgiveness for the sins of the nation.  Upon the altar were placed sin offerings "to make an atonement for all Israel."  "And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshiped."  Once more the temple courts resounded with words of praise and adoration.  The songs of David and of Asaph were sung with joy, as the worshipers realized that they were being delivered from the bondage of sin and apostasy.  "Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly" [2 Chronicles 29:24, 29, 36].--Prophets and Kings, 331-333.

October 6:  Happy People.

Rejoicing in God's Goodness.
Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days and seven more days--fourteen days.  On the eight day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the Lord had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.--1 Kings 8:65, 66, NKJV

OF SURPASSED BEAUTY and unrivaled splendor was the palatial building which Solomon and his associates erected for God and His worship.  Garnished with precious stones, surrounded by spacious courts with magnificent approaches, and lined with carved and burnished gold, the temple structure, with its broidered hangings and rich furnishings, was a fit emblem of the living church of God on earth, which through the ages has been building in accordance with the divine pattern, with materials that have been likened to "gold, silver, precious stones," "polished after the similitude of a palace."  1 Corinthians 3:12; Psalm 144:12,.--Prophets and Kings, 36.

"So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God."  2 Chronicles 7:1-5.  For seven days the multitudes from every part of the kingdom, from the borders "of Hamath unto the river of Egypt," "a very great congregation," kept a joyous feast.  The week following was spent by the happy throng in observing the Feast of Tabernacles.  At the close of the season of reconsecration and rejoicing the people returned to their homes, "glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had showed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people."  Verses 8, 10.--Prophet and Kings, 45.

                        When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,
                                     and the glory of the Lord on the temple,
                                 they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement,
                                      and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying:
                                                            "For He is good,
                                                     For His mercy endures forever."
                                                                                         --2 Chronicles 7:3, NKJV

October 5.  Happy People.

The Joy of Giving to Build God's Temple.
Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with single mind they had offered ferry to the Lord; King David also rejoiced greatly.--1 Chronicles 29:9, NRSV

WITH DEEPEST INTEREST the king had gathered the rich material for building and beautifying the temple.  He had composed the glorious anthems that in afteryears should echo through its courts.  Now his heart was made glad in God, as the chief of the fathers and the princes of Israel so nobly responded to his appeal, and offered themselves to the important work before them.  And as they gave their service, they were disposed to do more.  They swelled the offerings, giving of their own possessions into the treasury.  David had felt deeply his own unworthiness in gathering the material for the house of God, and the expression of loyalty in the ready response of the nobles of his kingdom, as with willing hearts they dedicated their treasures to Jehovah and devoted themselves to His service, filled him with joy.  But it was God alone who had imparted this disposition to His people.  He, not man, must be glorified.  It was He who had provided the people with the riches of earth, and His Spirit had made them willing to bring their precious things for the temple.  It was all of the Lord; if His love had not moved upon the hearts of the people, the king's efforts would have been vain, and the temple would never have been erected.

All that man receives of God's bounty still belongs to God.  Whatever God has bestowed in the valuable and beautiful things of earth is placed in the hands of men to test them--to sound the depths of their love for Him and their appreciation of His favors.  Whether it be the treasures of wealth or of intellect, they are to be laid, a willing offering, at the feet of Jesus; the giver saying, meanwhile, with David, "All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee."--Patriarchs and Prophets, 752, 7563.

October 4:  Happy People.

The Joy Found in Deliverance.
And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.  Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.--Exodus 18:8, 9, NKJV

NOT FAR DISTANT from where the Israelites were now encamped was the home of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses.  Jethro had heard of the deliverance of the Hebrews, and he now set out to visit them, and restore to Moses his wife and two sons.  The great leader was informed by messengers of their approach, and he went out with joy to meet them, and, the first greetings over, conducted them to his tent.  He had sent back his family when on his way to the perils of leading Israel from Egypt, but now he could again enjoy the relief and comfort of their society.  To Jethro he recounted the wonderful dealings of God with Israel, and the patriarch rejoiced and blessed the Lord, and with Moses and the elders he united in offering sacrifice and holding a solemn feast in commemoration of God's mercy.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 300.

                          Jethro said, "Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you
                    from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh.  Now I know that the Lord
                is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from the Egyptians,
                                          when they dealt arrogantly with them."
                              
                                                              --Exodus 18:10, 11, NRSV

October 3:  Happy People.

The Joy of an Answered Prayer.
Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.  I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.--1 Samuel 2:1, NKJV

HANNAH'S PRAYER WAS GRANTED; she received the gift for which she had so earnestly entreated.  As she looked upon the child, she called him Samuel--"asked of God."  As soon as the little one was old enough to be separated from his mother, she fulfilled her vow.  She loved her child with all the devotion of a mother's heart; day by day, as she watched his expanding powers and listened to his childish prattle, her affections entwined about him more closely.  He was her only son, the special gift of Heaven; but she had received him as a treasure consecrated to God, and she would not withhold from the Giver His own.

Once more Hannah journeyed with her husband to Shiloh and presented to the priest, in the name of God, her precious gift, saying, "For this child I prayed and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord."...

The mother's heart was filled with joy and praise, and she longed to pour forth her gratitude to God.  The Spirit of Inspiration came upon her; "and Hannah prayed, and said:
                'My heart rejoiceth in the Lord;
                Mine horn is exalted in the Lord.' "
                --Patriarchs and Prophets, 570, 571.

                              "O Lord of Heaven's Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow
                       and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you.
                                         He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign
                               that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut."
                              
                                                                    --1 Samuel 1:11, NLT

October 2:  Happy People.

The Joy at the Birth of a Child.
And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me."--Genesis 21:6, NKJV

THERE WAS GIVEN TO ABRAHAM the promise, especially dear to the people of that age, of a numerous posterity and of national greatness: "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing."  And to this was added the assurance, precious above every other to the inheritor of faith, that of his line the Redeemer of the world should come: "In thee shall all families of the4 earth be blessed."--Patriarchs and Prophets, 125.

When Abraham was nearly one hundred years old, the promise of a son was repeated to him, with the assurance that the future heir should be the child of Sarah.  But Abraham did not yet understand the promise.  His mind at once turned to Ishmael, clinging to the belief that through him God's gracious purposes were to be accomplished....Again the promise was given, in words that could not be mistaken: "Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him."...

The birth of Isaac, bringing, after a lifelong waiting, the fulfillment of their dearest hopes, filled the tents of Abraham and Sarah with gladness.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 146.

Isaac was her joy and pride; her life was bound up in him.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 148.

             And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me."
                               She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah
                            would nurse children?  For I have borne him a son in his old age."
                              
                                                                      --Genesis 21:6, 7, NKJV