With great joy, the priests, the Levites, the singers, and the people all ceremonially purified and sanctified themselves for the celebration of the restoration of the walls. They understood that the only way the Most High would manifest Himself was when they led honest and clean lives. The beginning of the book shows the anguish they had all been living in at that time. But God turned their affliction to rejoicing, and their celebrations could be seen from afar.

We cannot wait for everything in our lives to be perfect in order to start worshiping God.

Even amid battles, the joy and strength that comes from faith impels us to honor Him.