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Scripture for today:
Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2
Scripture-My special verse today:
Nehemiah 9:36 “But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. 37 Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.
Observation:
Nehemiah poignantly states that the Israelites are in the predicament they are in due to their sin. This was a humble statement by Nehemiah who was the great leader. Admitting the sins of the past are difficult because they often are personal.
Application:
Confessing the sin of the past is painful because often it is family you are talking about. After confessing the sin, you cannot dwell upon the past because the future is at hand. So often the sins of yesterday snarls us into being captive today. We must seek deliverance from God to empower us in the return of Christ Jesus.
Prayer: May the sins of the past be covered in the blood of confession.
Scripture for today:
Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1
Scripture-My special verse today:
Nehemiah 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Observation:
Nehemiah witnessed people crying because the Law was being read. Yes, this was the Torah the first five books of the Bible. They were crying because hearing the laws and decrees of God convicted them. Their journey was a result of being disobedient. Maybe, they had caught a vision of what things could have been like if they had obeyed God.
Application:
Being convicted of sin is painful. I have witnessed people cry uncontrollably for what they had done. However, coming to terms with your sin lifts a heavy burden. Jesus wants us to cast our burdens at the cross. The process restores back to our Savior.
Prayer:
May I lay my burdens at the cross.
Scripture for today:
Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23
Scripture-My special verse today:
Nehemiah 4:21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and workmen by day.” 23 Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.
Observation:
This is leadership at its best. Nehemiah, the exiled Jew in Babylon, comes home and leads a massive rebuilding project. Not everyone is excited. Each family is rebuilding the wall closest to them. Both Tobiah and Sanballat are furious over Nehemiah’s leadership. All Nehemiah did was rally his people for a cause. Not only did he rally them to rebuild the wall but to be armed and ready to fight at the blast of the trumpet.
Application:
No movement from God comes without a herald leading the way. God uses someone somehow to lead the task at hand. That someone was Nehemiah. All Nehemiah heard was that the wall and his homeland was in trouble and he took it to God. People today say I do not want to get involved or get their hands dirty. Nehemiah not only had all the delegating but now was faced with fierce locals opponents who did not want the wall rebuild. Does Nehemiah fold under pressure or once again take his plea to God?
Prayer:
May I stay focused in the midst of financial chaos in our world.
Scripture for today:
Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133; Luke 22
Scripture-My special verse today
Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:
“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you.
Observation:
Nehemiah was moved by the plight of his people. That is a rare breed. So many are callous to the plight of other people. Nehemiah was comfortable but the news broke his heart. It reminds me of the famous quote by Bob Pierce that was penned almost 40 years ago. He said, “May the things that break my God’s heart break mine today.” This implies that if it does not break God’s heart then maybe we should be so broken as well.
Application:
Profound! Nehemiah is one of my heroes because when he hears something that breaks his heart he uses his God given ability to make a difference. Everyone can make a difference if their heart is broken. We are created to better our humanity not to destroy it by our selfishness.
Prayer:
Help me to respond when my heart is broken!
