Nehemiah 8:5-9
When you think of something as broken, do you think of it in a negative way or a good way? Being broken can really have two different meanings. We typically think of something that is broken as something that is either no longer good or trash unless it can be fixed. There is another side of being broken that can be a good thing. There are many examples that we could think of. Take an egg, for example, you have to break the shell to eat it, regardless of how you prepare it. How about how glow sticks are broken internally so that they can mix the chemicals together to produce light? What are other examples you can think of?
In today’s passage, we see what it means to be beautifully broken. We have seen that the walls and gates have been restored and rebuilt. The city is finally looking strong again. However, this was just the external view; we see that the people are starting to learn that God was rebuilding their hearts along with rebuilding their city. The people stood and listened as Ezra read the Word of God. We see them lifting their hands, bowing their faces to the ground, and even weeping. A cry showing that their sin had been exposed by the word of God, but also that they see His mercy. Even though they had drifted from him, God is still faithful and merciful.
The people needed to see how far they were from God and how they needed Him. Much like in our own lives, we need to see the need for Him. We must recognize our brokenness and our need for Him to fully restore us. It is only through Him that this can happen. When we listen to God’s word, it has a way of breaking us open and helping us realize where we are at. But this doesn’t just bring condemnation, God shows us His mercy and grace through Him. We get to see the beauty of His forgiveness and how He is waiting for us to turn to Him. The people crying out here were just the beginning of the spiritual renewal that is about to take place. The walls of the city have been rebuilt, and now it is time where God rebuilds and restores their hearts.
We must realize our brokenness before Him leads us to Him, and that is why it can be beautiful in a way. Let God’s word break us and search our hearts, but also let Him rebuild you through His forgiveness.
When you think of something as broken, do you think of it in a negative way or a good way? Being broken can really have two different meanings. We typically think of something that is broken as something that is either no longer good or trash unless it can be fixed. There is another side of being broken that can be a good thing. There are many examples that we could think of. Take an egg, for example, you have to break the shell to eat it, regardless of how you prepare it. How about how glow sticks are broken internally so that they can mix the chemicals together to produce light? What are other examples you can think of?
In today’s passage, we see what it means to be beautifully broken. We have seen that the walls and gates have been restored and rebuilt. The city is finally looking strong again. However, this was just the external view; we see that the people are starting to learn that God was rebuilding their hearts along with rebuilding their city. The people stood and listened as Ezra read the Word of God. We see them lifting their hands, bowing their faces to the ground, and even weeping. A cry showing that their sin had been exposed by the word of God, but also that they see His mercy. Even though they had drifted from him, God is still faithful and merciful.
The people needed to see how far they were from God and how they needed Him. Much like in our own lives, we need to see the need for Him. We must recognize our brokenness and our need for Him to fully restore us. It is only through Him that this can happen. When we listen to God’s word, it has a way of breaking us open and helping us realize where we are at. But this doesn’t just bring condemnation, God shows us His mercy and grace through Him. We get to see the beauty of His forgiveness and how He is waiting for us to turn to Him. The people crying out here were just the beginning of the spiritual renewal that is about to take place. The walls of the city have been rebuilt, and now it is time where God rebuilds and restores their hearts.
We must realize our brokenness before Him leads us to Him, and that is why it can be beautiful in a way. Let God’s word break us and search our hearts, but also let Him rebuild you through His forgiveness.
Posted in Devotional