Nehemiah 9
This is a lengthy chapter of Nehemiah, but I promise it’s worth your time reading it. This is such a powerful moment for the Israelite community. They spent half a day reading from the Law, worshipping, and confessing sin to God. Almost the entire chapter is a prayer to God by the Levites. Throughout the prayer, there is a consistent theme of remembrance. The Israelites had turned their backs and disobeyed God more than once. In fact, it was time after time after time they rebelled against the Lord. They were God's chosen people yet always disobedient! Yet we see God's amazing grace and mercy towards them each time. The Israelites took this time to remember God and remember their sin. This chapter is oozing with adjectives about God's character. He is a God of patience. He is a God of protection and provision. He is faithful to His promises. He is merciful and full of compassion. He is righteous. He is slow to anger, abounding in love. He is forgiving and MUCH MORE. We also see the character, or lack thereof, with the Israelites in the past. They were arrogant and stiff-necked. They were blasphemers. Disobedient. Rebellious. Idolaters. Stubborn. Yet in verse 33 we read “In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly”. The Israelites are much like people today. When they were in trouble, they asked God for help. Once God helped, it wasn’t long before they went back to their old ways. If we only talk to God when we’re in trouble, we’re in trouble. Just look at the long list of characteristics of God. How on earth could we abandon Him when he is so worthy? Yet we do. And so did the Israelites. People may abandon God, but he doesn’t abandon them. Read that again! Verse 19 makes that clear! In God's compassion, he did not abandon them.
I think of parenthood and how our kids, from time to time, will disobey and rebel. They think they know better and don’t need us. They are stubborn and rebellious. In the same way God doesn’t give up on his children, we don’t give up on ours! We still love and protect them. We forgive them. We (try) to have patience. We don’t stop being their parents; we continue to love them and encourage them, and show them what’s right. I know there may be toxic circumstances where it is best to walk away from a family member, so please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. The point of the matter is GOD LOVES US SO MUCH, MY FRIEND! When we stop and think of it, God has done so much for us. If He had only sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, that would have been enough. Somehow, He decided to give us a beautiful love letter and words of instruction, too - the Bible! Somehow, He decided to give us a comforter - The Holy Spirit. Not only that, let’s think of all the times He came through for you in your life. Prayers that have been answered or maybe not answered out of his provision! Doors he opened or closed that you didn’t see! People he removed or put into your life for your benefit! Let us remember what God has done for us, and what He will continue to do. He is a God that cannot change. His character remains the same today as it was then for the Israelites. He desires obedience, worship, and heart change. After all we have studied today, I think it’s safe to say He is more than worthy of it, isn’t He?
This is a lengthy chapter of Nehemiah, but I promise it’s worth your time reading it. This is such a powerful moment for the Israelite community. They spent half a day reading from the Law, worshipping, and confessing sin to God. Almost the entire chapter is a prayer to God by the Levites. Throughout the prayer, there is a consistent theme of remembrance. The Israelites had turned their backs and disobeyed God more than once. In fact, it was time after time after time they rebelled against the Lord. They were God's chosen people yet always disobedient! Yet we see God's amazing grace and mercy towards them each time. The Israelites took this time to remember God and remember their sin. This chapter is oozing with adjectives about God's character. He is a God of patience. He is a God of protection and provision. He is faithful to His promises. He is merciful and full of compassion. He is righteous. He is slow to anger, abounding in love. He is forgiving and MUCH MORE. We also see the character, or lack thereof, with the Israelites in the past. They were arrogant and stiff-necked. They were blasphemers. Disobedient. Rebellious. Idolaters. Stubborn. Yet in verse 33 we read “In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly”. The Israelites are much like people today. When they were in trouble, they asked God for help. Once God helped, it wasn’t long before they went back to their old ways. If we only talk to God when we’re in trouble, we’re in trouble. Just look at the long list of characteristics of God. How on earth could we abandon Him when he is so worthy? Yet we do. And so did the Israelites. People may abandon God, but he doesn’t abandon them. Read that again! Verse 19 makes that clear! In God's compassion, he did not abandon them.
I think of parenthood and how our kids, from time to time, will disobey and rebel. They think they know better and don’t need us. They are stubborn and rebellious. In the same way God doesn’t give up on his children, we don’t give up on ours! We still love and protect them. We forgive them. We (try) to have patience. We don’t stop being their parents; we continue to love them and encourage them, and show them what’s right. I know there may be toxic circumstances where it is best to walk away from a family member, so please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. The point of the matter is GOD LOVES US SO MUCH, MY FRIEND! When we stop and think of it, God has done so much for us. If He had only sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, that would have been enough. Somehow, He decided to give us a beautiful love letter and words of instruction, too - the Bible! Somehow, He decided to give us a comforter - The Holy Spirit. Not only that, let’s think of all the times He came through for you in your life. Prayers that have been answered or maybe not answered out of his provision! Doors he opened or closed that you didn’t see! People he removed or put into your life for your benefit! Let us remember what God has done for us, and what He will continue to do. He is a God that cannot change. His character remains the same today as it was then for the Israelites. He desires obedience, worship, and heart change. After all we have studied today, I think it’s safe to say He is more than worthy of it, isn’t He?
Posted in Devotional