R³ Devotional - Day 271

Whoa!  Do these chapters ever hit home!  Not only with things we see around us now locally, but also in our nation and world today.  This reading should stir all our hearts to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth in God’s Word to us.

Chapter 8 shows us a RECOGNITION of God and His laws for us as Nehemiah, Ezra and some of the priests call God’s people together at the Water Gate.  The exile is ending, and God’s people are returning to Jerusalem to rebuild.  God’s word is opened, and the law is read to the people from early morning to mid-day, and the people soon realize (just as the law was intended) that they have not honored God.  He set standards for His people, and they can’t measure up.  The people are moved and begin a journey back towards God by instating the Feast of Booths.

Chapter 9 continues with more reading and brings a REALIZATION of how far and long God’s people have strayed and the just punishment that has befallen them throughout their history from Abraham until now.  We see a summary of how God blesses his people, the people come to Him, and then they begin to stray again…brining His just judgement upon them.  I’ve spent quite a few lessons teaching in young kids classes all the way up to adults talking about the “Roller Coaster” pattern of God’s people from the time He chose them going forward.  It’s amazing to see that summarized so well in this chapter of Nehemiah!

Chapter 10 shows us a REPENTENCE as God’s chosen people are committing to Him (and His laws) once again.  Many people are noted in this chapter who seal their names to this repentance.  A real commitment that sadly as we look at Biblical history, we know they still can’t keep going.

In all of this we can see the need for God’s plan of a savior for all who believe!  We cannot measure up, and never will through works, dedication, and any other word you want to try to use to explain us truly being able to keep up His expectations of us.  The answer…Jesus!  God’s law is a picture for us that we will never be able to “measure up” to all His expectations.  It takes Jesus being obedient to God even unto death on a cross and then rising on the third day…defeating death and carrying the burden of our sin so that we can have a relationship and eternity with our Great and Holy God.  What a gift!

Real Life Principles: Where do you stand?  Do you realize none of us can measure up and we all need the blood of Christ to bring us back to God?  We all sin and fall short, yet through His grace, we can be reconciled to Him!  The Israelites in these chapters had real, “Oh crap!” moments, and they reset their hearts to God.  We cannot do that for long under our own devices, yet through a true, deep, and meaningful relationship with Christ, we can not only be brought back into relationship with God, but we can also, through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives show others the way to Him!

Relevant Life Applications:  Connect…not just one or two days a week…not just on a special holiday, but daily in everything we do.  The moment we start putting things of this world in conflict with our walk with God is the moment that chaos, trials, and judgement come as we turn more to worldly things more than we turn to God.  Start your day honoring Him with praise, time in his Word, and prayer then trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in His Will and His Plans each and every day

Being Ready with Life Action Steps: We can always find time for worldly things that “mean something” to us, however that leads us farther and farther from our Creator…a place we really don’t need to be!  Think of how easily we commit to those worldly distractions and apply that dedication and commitment to your individual walks with God…each and every day, without fail.  You will be shocked at the peace, joy and comfort that it brings to your lives (and others around you), even in times of trials.  Fathers, Mothers…it starts in the home with y’all…draw closer to Him and do what He asks of you.  It’s not easy, but it’s what He wants from us.  Men, Women…when that family structure is not there for those you know, be praying how God wants to use you to fill in those gaps that worldly struggles have put upon broken families.