April 29 - Nehemiah 11-13
Once the walls of Jerusalem were completed, the people could make plans to carry on with life as usual. They could find their places to settle and plant their crops or start their businesses. However, it was going to take more work for the ones who were going to live within the walls of Jerusalem. They would have to continue clearing away the rubbish, and they would have to rebuild their homes and other buildings. Some people volunteered to live in Jerusalem and some were chosen, so that one-tenth of the people lived there. What would you have done? Would you have volunteered for the more difficult tasks, or would you have to be drafted? I think God loves to see His children volunteer for the difficult tasks out of love for Him and for His kingdom.
Did you notice all of the references to thanksgiving and praise? There were many people who led the people in thanksgiving and praise in word and in song. This insured that the people kept their eyes on the Lord and not on themselves. It took their minds off of the hard work, and it kept their minds on the blessings of the Lord. We must be diligent to build thanksgiving and praise into our daily lives. We must not just express our hearts to the Lord on Sundays, but all week long. This will help to keep us on track.
The sad point comes at the end of the book. When Nehemiah went back to the king for a while, the people went back to their old ways, and they began to ignore God's laws. Even though they had such a great revival, it was not long before they forgot the most important thing. Being faithful to the Lord is the most important thing in life. When Nehemiah returned, he had to take some drastic actions to correct this problem. He did not curse at them, but he did tell them that they would be cursed if they continued in sin. We must always know that the blessings of God are conditional. We can't forsake His way and receive His blessings. Even more than that, if we love Him as we should, our love will show itself in obedience. An obedience problem is a love problem.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 1-3.
Did you notice all of the references to thanksgiving and praise? There were many people who led the people in thanksgiving and praise in word and in song. This insured that the people kept their eyes on the Lord and not on themselves. It took their minds off of the hard work, and it kept their minds on the blessings of the Lord. We must be diligent to build thanksgiving and praise into our daily lives. We must not just express our hearts to the Lord on Sundays, but all week long. This will help to keep us on track.
The sad point comes at the end of the book. When Nehemiah went back to the king for a while, the people went back to their old ways, and they began to ignore God's laws. Even though they had such a great revival, it was not long before they forgot the most important thing. Being faithful to the Lord is the most important thing in life. When Nehemiah returned, he had to take some drastic actions to correct this problem. He did not curse at them, but he did tell them that they would be cursed if they continued in sin. We must always know that the blessings of God are conditional. We can't forsake His way and receive His blessings. Even more than that, if we love Him as we should, our love will show itself in obedience. An obedience problem is a love problem.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 1-3.