Holy Focus Leads to Revival (Jan10)
The first half of Nehemiah teaches
lessons about working for God; the
second emphasises worshipping Him.
Beginning with chapter 8 the account
centers on the spiritual rather than
physical well-being of the people.
The public reading and explanation
of God’s Word bring a sweeping
revival to the city. Rejoicing at the
sound of God’s precious laws as
preached by Ezra the priest, the
people respond with prayers of
confession, worship to God and
a fresh resolve to live godly lives
in keeping with their commitment.
Although God had enabled them
to build the wall, the work wasn’t
complete until the people rebuilt
their lives spiritually. Ezra instructed
the people in God’s Word. As they
listened, they recognised the sin
in their lives, admitted it and took
steps to remove it. Recognising
and admitting sin is not enough;
for revival must result in reform;
for God does not want halfhearted
measures. We must not only remove
sin from our lives but also ask God
to move into the center of our lives.
Lord, we Seek Your Strength;
Lord, we Seek Your Grace; and
Lord, we Seek to Follow You. Amen.
Lord, we Seek Your Strength:
Nehemiah who was the governor,
said: Do not mourn nor weep.
For all the people wept when
they heard the words of the Law.
Don’t be dejected and sad, for
the Joy of the Lord is yr Strength.
And the Levites too quieted the
people, telling them: Hush! Don’t
weep! For this is a sacred day. So
the pple went away to eat & drink &
to celebrate with great joy because
they had heard God’s words and
understood them (Neh 8:9-12).
Lord, we rejoice in the grace that
You have poured out in our lives.
Thank You that it is never too late
to come back to You in repentance.
The past can be difficult to let go
of, but with Your Joy helping me,
I can move forward into what
You have prepared for me. Amen.
Lord, we Seek Your Grace:
Yet for many years U had patience
with them, & testified against them
by Your Spirit in Your prophets.
Yet they would not listen. Therefore
You gave them into the hand
of the peoples of the lands. But
in Your great mercy, You did not…
abandon them, for U are a Gracious
and merciful God (Neh 9:30-31).
Lord, thank U for Your great mercy
that You have never judged me
according to what I have deserved.
Thank You that Your grace toward
me that is beyond comprehension.
Thank You that You will never
forsake me; and Help me to never
forsake You in any way either.
Pray that my attitude will be right
before You, and that I will not take
Yr grace & mercy for granted. Amen
Lord, we Seek Your Presence
and we seek to Follow You:
The rest of the people – the priests,
Levites, gatekeepers, singers,
Temple servants and all who had
separated themselves from the
pagan people of the land in order
to serve God… now all heartily
bound themselves with an oath.
They vowed to accept the curse
of God if they failed to obey the law
of God… They solemnly promised
to carefully follow all the commands,
laws and regulations of the Lord
their God (Nehemiah 10:28-29).
Lord, from the covenant led by
Nehemiah,we realise our relationship
with You go beyond regular devotion
and church attendance. For it will
affect our relationships, time and
resources. For when we chose
to follow God, we also in a way
promise to serve Him in such a way.
Grant us the grace for apart from
You, we can do nothing. Amen.