June 19, 2006 - Nehemiah 12-13 and Acts 4:23-37
I have been amazed at how the Lord has spoken to me in a fresh way each day this year, as I have read an Old Testament passage and a New Testament passage each day, instead of just reading straight through the Bible. Most of the time, God has shown me a connection or a similar theme in both passages. I did not plan it this way at all. God is simply showing me the greatness of His Word in another way. Today, He showed me a definite contrast between the people of Nehemiah's day and the people in the Book of Acts. What did He show you?
In chapter 12 we read about the dedication service for the wall of Jerusalem. There was great singing from a huge choir which was split into two sections for responsive praise to God. The people offered sacrifices and rejoiced before the Lord for His blessings. (v.43) The Temple worship was totally restored and everything was cleansed before the Lord. However, in chapter 13 Nehemiah has to return to the king according to his agreement before he left for Jerusalem. When Nehemiah left the people returned to their previous sins. They quit keeping the Temple worship correctly, and they even started intermarrying again. It seems that it was the influence of Nehemiah that kept them on track instead of their own hearts thirsting to do God's will.
In Acts 4 the situation is totally the opposite. After Peter and John are released, they return for a prayer meeting in which the people ask for boldness. They desire to be faithful witnesses. They willingly sell their possessions to help out the other believers. It is not the influence of one or two people. It is the heart condition of all of the believers. They genuinely want to do God's will even in the face of opposition.
Which group are you in today? Do you do God's will because of some outside influence, or does your worship and service come from your heart? If it doesn't come from your heart, Satan will be able to lead you astray easily, and soon you will find yourself in sin and opposed to God's will. I pray that we all will be like the believers in Acts. I pray that our love for Jesus and our constant trust in Him will be our motivation for all we do.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 1-2 and Acts 5:1-21.
In chapter 12 we read about the dedication service for the wall of Jerusalem. There was great singing from a huge choir which was split into two sections for responsive praise to God. The people offered sacrifices and rejoiced before the Lord for His blessings. (v.43) The Temple worship was totally restored and everything was cleansed before the Lord. However, in chapter 13 Nehemiah has to return to the king according to his agreement before he left for Jerusalem. When Nehemiah left the people returned to their previous sins. They quit keeping the Temple worship correctly, and they even started intermarrying again. It seems that it was the influence of Nehemiah that kept them on track instead of their own hearts thirsting to do God's will.
In Acts 4 the situation is totally the opposite. After Peter and John are released, they return for a prayer meeting in which the people ask for boldness. They desire to be faithful witnesses. They willingly sell their possessions to help out the other believers. It is not the influence of one or two people. It is the heart condition of all of the believers. They genuinely want to do God's will even in the face of opposition.
Which group are you in today? Do you do God's will because of some outside influence, or does your worship and service come from your heart? If it doesn't come from your heart, Satan will be able to lead you astray easily, and soon you will find yourself in sin and opposed to God's will. I pray that we all will be like the believers in Acts. I pray that our love for Jesus and our constant trust in Him will be our motivation for all we do.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 1-2 and Acts 5:1-21.