Main Point and Overview:
Often, a physical problem eventually sheds light on a spiritual problem. For Israel, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a physical problem. After they had achieved this daunting task, they soon realized what the “greater reason” was for rebuilding the walls – spiritual revival! When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he found more than just broken walls; he found broken lives. In response, he gathered the people together to hear Ezra read God’s law. In that powerful moment, the Word of God became “alive and understandable” to them, leading to weeping over their sin. When’s the last time that you wept over your sin? When’s the last time the Spirit of the Living God deeply convicted you over your selfish behavior? When’s the last time you bowed your head and asked God to “change your heart” toward someone or something? This moment was bigger than broken walls because it led to people repenting and promising to change their lives by beginning once again to obey God’s law. No matter where we live, “backsliding” is an ever-present danger. We must constantly check our behavior against God’s standards in the Word of God so that we do not slide back into sinful ways of thinking and living. The people of Israel had fallen into “idolatry” for years, and now, they were making their way back to their God. One of the most powerful realizations in our lives is the realization of what God has done for us in our past. From The Cross to his daily doses of compassion, the Lord God is lovingly faithful to us, his people. It’s important that we constantly remind ourselves of what he has already done. For the Jews that encompassed Abraham, Moses, to the prophets. Both good stories and evil stories filled their mouths and their hearts. These reminders positioned them to “turn from” their sins and “turn back” to their God. What reminders are you in need of to motivate you to “come back” to God? Revival of the heart is what is missing in many American churches today. We are filled with programs, policies, and plans, but we’ve lost a passion to fully worship God in attitude and action. What came from the rebuilding of the walls was beautiful – broken lives made “new” once again!
Often, a physical problem eventually sheds light on a spiritual problem. For Israel, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a physical problem. After they had achieved this daunting task, they soon realized what the “greater reason” was for rebuilding the walls – spiritual revival! When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he found more than just broken walls; he found broken lives. In response, he gathered the people together to hear Ezra read God’s law. In that powerful moment, the Word of God became “alive and understandable” to them, leading to weeping over their sin. When’s the last time that you wept over your sin? When’s the last time the Spirit of the Living God deeply convicted you over your selfish behavior? When’s the last time you bowed your head and asked God to “change your heart” toward someone or something? This moment was bigger than broken walls because it led to people repenting and promising to change their lives by beginning once again to obey God’s law. No matter where we live, “backsliding” is an ever-present danger. We must constantly check our behavior against God’s standards in the Word of God so that we do not slide back into sinful ways of thinking and living. The people of Israel had fallen into “idolatry” for years, and now, they were making their way back to their God. One of the most powerful realizations in our lives is the realization of what God has done for us in our past. From The Cross to his daily doses of compassion, the Lord God is lovingly faithful to us, his people. It’s important that we constantly remind ourselves of what he has already done. For the Jews that encompassed Abraham, Moses, to the prophets. Both good stories and evil stories filled their mouths and their hearts. These reminders positioned them to “turn from” their sins and “turn back” to their God. What reminders are you in need of to motivate you to “come back” to God? Revival of the heart is what is missing in many American churches today. We are filled with programs, policies, and plans, but we’ve lost a passion to fully worship God in attitude and action. What came from the rebuilding of the walls was beautiful – broken lives made “new” once again!
Posted in Devotional