June 17, 2006 - Nehemiah 7-9 and Acts 3
Today, we read about a revival and a miracle. Both of these things are rare today, so we need to try to discern why God decided to work them into the lives of His people then, so we might do what it takes to see them happen now. Do you desire to see a revival? Do you desire to see a miracle? Do you believe that God wants to work these supernatural events today? I hope it is the desire of your heart to see God work in a powerful way. I urge you to pray for this fervently.
Nehemiah 7 declares that the walls and the gates were finished, and Hanani was put in charge of security. Then, there is a list of all of the people who had returned. This was a list of the faithful. They were faithful to do God's will in rebuilding the walls. They trusted God, and they did the work. This type of lifestyle is very pleasing to God. It was to these people that He sent a great revival. They were faithful people.
In chapter 8 we find out that they were hungry people. The people called for Ezra to read the Law to them. He did not have to call them together. They called for him, and they were willing to stand and to listen to God's Word for 6 hours at a time. (v.3) The people wept when they heard the Law, because they were convicted of sin, and then, they reacted with joy, because they knew that God still loved them. They were hungry people. They were hungry for God's Word and God's will. That is the kind of people to whom He sent a revival. I pray that we have hearts that are faithful to God and hungry for Him.
All of this revival led to confession of sin in chapter 9. They did not just listen to God's Word, but they took time to confess their sins. (v.2) They worshiped the Lord, recounting His faithfulness to them. Then, they decided to make a new covenant with Him. (v.38) In other words, these were responsive people to whom God sent revival. They were willing to do what God said. Now, I know some of this willingness was the result of revival, but God also knew in advance that they would be willing to do what He told them. Therefore, He poured out His Word fully upon this faithful, hungry people. We need to make sure that we have a heart to obey God, not just to go to church some. If we don't have that kind of heart, we need to repent and confess our sin, so He can heal our hard hearts.
Acts 3 tells us about the miracle. Peter and John healed a lame man on the way to the Temple for prayer. Peter saw the man. (v.3) Then, he called on the man to look at him. Finally, he announced in the name of Jesus that the man should stand up. What does that mean? It means that Jesus told Peter to reach out to this man, and he did what Jesus told Him to do, giving Jesus all of the credit. That is what led to the miracle. It was being sensitive, and it was trusting God to do what He told him He would do. That is not so hard now is it? Yes, it can be difficult. We think of many things all of the time, but are we listening for Jesus as we walk down the street? When He does speak, and we hear Him, do we believe, or do we fear? We must react with faith for a miracle to occur. Do you want a miracle? Listen and believe; then act on what Jesus says to you. He will do the rest. Here, there was a miracle and a great opportunity to preach. That is what happens when the supernatural power of God is evident to people through a miracle. People are open to hear from God. Let's pray for God to use us to do miracles for His glory.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 10-11 and John 4:1-22.
Nehemiah 7 declares that the walls and the gates were finished, and Hanani was put in charge of security. Then, there is a list of all of the people who had returned. This was a list of the faithful. They were faithful to do God's will in rebuilding the walls. They trusted God, and they did the work. This type of lifestyle is very pleasing to God. It was to these people that He sent a great revival. They were faithful people.
In chapter 8 we find out that they were hungry people. The people called for Ezra to read the Law to them. He did not have to call them together. They called for him, and they were willing to stand and to listen to God's Word for 6 hours at a time. (v.3) The people wept when they heard the Law, because they were convicted of sin, and then, they reacted with joy, because they knew that God still loved them. They were hungry people. They were hungry for God's Word and God's will. That is the kind of people to whom He sent a revival. I pray that we have hearts that are faithful to God and hungry for Him.
All of this revival led to confession of sin in chapter 9. They did not just listen to God's Word, but they took time to confess their sins. (v.2) They worshiped the Lord, recounting His faithfulness to them. Then, they decided to make a new covenant with Him. (v.38) In other words, these were responsive people to whom God sent revival. They were willing to do what God said. Now, I know some of this willingness was the result of revival, but God also knew in advance that they would be willing to do what He told them. Therefore, He poured out His Word fully upon this faithful, hungry people. We need to make sure that we have a heart to obey God, not just to go to church some. If we don't have that kind of heart, we need to repent and confess our sin, so He can heal our hard hearts.
Acts 3 tells us about the miracle. Peter and John healed a lame man on the way to the Temple for prayer. Peter saw the man. (v.3) Then, he called on the man to look at him. Finally, he announced in the name of Jesus that the man should stand up. What does that mean? It means that Jesus told Peter to reach out to this man, and he did what Jesus told Him to do, giving Jesus all of the credit. That is what led to the miracle. It was being sensitive, and it was trusting God to do what He told him He would do. That is not so hard now is it? Yes, it can be difficult. We think of many things all of the time, but are we listening for Jesus as we walk down the street? When He does speak, and we hear Him, do we believe, or do we fear? We must react with faith for a miracle to occur. Do you want a miracle? Listen and believe; then act on what Jesus says to you. He will do the rest. Here, there was a miracle and a great opportunity to preach. That is what happens when the supernatural power of God is evident to people through a miracle. People are open to hear from God. Let's pray for God to use us to do miracles for His glory.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Nehemiah 10-11 and John 4:1-22.