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The good things in our lives…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 118:23 This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

I had lunch with a dear friend yesterday, and we were talking about how easy it is to overlook all the good things in our lives because the things that worry us loom so large. We joked that if either of us figured out how to stay present in the now and appreciate the little things, we should let the other know. That conversation is what brought me to these verses today.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I don’t believe Jesus was aiming for toxic positivity here, but I think He was reminding us that He IS with us always, that He DOES shower us with blessings daily, even on the hard days, that He understands “the anguish of [our] soul,” that His joy can be our strength if we allow.

Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.

Lord, Help us to learn how to be present in each moment, how to see the beauty of Your world, the joy of all the little things that let us know You are here, You know us, see us, love us, even in our pain and doubt. Help us to rejoice and be glad in this day, this moment because You are with us. Amen.

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Our deep need…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 13:6-7a But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem….

Nehemiah was gone for 10-12 years, and when he returned, he realized all the progress he made before had been undone. I feel like the problem was that the people were fulfilling Nehemiah’s dream, so when he left, it was easy to let things slide, eventually sliding back near where they were before he started. They weren’t really that personally invested in his dream.

Nehemiah 13:7b …Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.

I think that’s a chief reason for God’s focus on free will and relationships. He is the Creator of the universe. He could make us do anything He wanted. But He wants a partnership, not a dictatorship. He wants us to understand our deep need for Him, which can only come through relationship. 

Nehemiah 13:10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You need me to partner with You for my own sake, so that I understand my deep need for You, so that Your dreams become my dreams, so I can live the life You planned for me. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

Nehemiah 13:23 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab.

Have a blessed day.

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It’s about relationship…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 12:40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials….

Praise, portions, and purity. I was reading through today’s text trying to find a way to get at the heart of what the chapter is about. I think these three words sum up this chapter rather well. The walls have been rebuilt. The city has been repopulated, and now everyone has been reminded of their jobs: Praising God, providing portions for others—contributions, firstfruits, and tithes to keep things running properly, and purification of heart, soul, and body for worship.

Nehemiah 12:44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes….

The problem is that I have summed up the original into a tidy, alliterative list of rules. I’ve stripped the scripture of its power. The power lies in the entire story from Genesis until now. If that scripture is viscerally real to me, I know what I need to do to praise God—I’ve lived it with the Israelites. I do it because it has meaning and purpose. If I just go down the list—check, check, check and done—it’s not about God, it’s about rules.

Nehemiah 12:45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that praising You is not about rules, it’s about relationship, and relationship always involves time, effort, vulnerability. Help me to strengthen my relationship with You so that my praise always comes from a place of relationship. Help me, always, to trust You, to love You, to praise You with my whole heart. Amen.

Nehemiah 12:47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers….

Have a blessed day.

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I want to be all in…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 11:1a Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem….

It is hard for me to know what to write today because I know where this book is headed. The actions in this chapter seem quite positive—Jerusalem is rebuilt, it is in the process of being repopulated. The progress is beautiful and positive. They know it won’t be easy, but they are willing to try.

Nehemiah 11:1b … The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns.

This reminds me of a famous Yoda (from Star Wars) quote: “Do or do not. There is no try.” I kind of feel like I went through first semester with that attitude, and it resulted in a feeling of mere survival, not a triumphant, I am more than a conqueror, feeling of accomplishment for my Savior. And the problem is within me, with my attitude. “I’ll try” doesn’t imply seeking my Savior every day, trusting Him when things are utterly awful, praising Him for the blessings. “I’ll try” is a lukewarm, halfhearted commitment. Jesus, Help me.

Nehemiah 11:2 The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that my attitude, my effort, my heart for You is vitally important in my day-to-day. I don’t want to make a tepid “I’ll try” commitment to You. I want to be all in, trusting You, praising You, working for You, with You, and through Your strength. Always. Help me, Lord. Amen.

Nehemiah 11:25 As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiribati Arba and its surrounding settlements, in Dibon and its settlements, in Jekabzeel and its villages….

Have a blessed day.

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Covenant keeping…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 10:32 “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God….”

This chapter is about covenant keeping—an agreement between the Israelites and God, an offering of the firstfruits. It is about giving freely of oneself to God in honor and thanksgiving.

Nehemiah 10:35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.”

This first day of 2021 seems the perfect time to indulge in a similar activity, to establish a covenant, an agreement, with God about what I’m willing to give Him first and freely. It should be personal and meaningful and should involve the firstfruits, the most prized and valued things in my life.

Nehemiah 10:36 “As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture, so perfectly timed on this first day of a new year. Thank You for the encouragement to give freely and generously to You, You who have always been so free and generous with the blessings in my life. Help me to dedicate my firstfruits to You in glory, honor, and praise. Thank You, LORD, for everything that draws me closer to You. Amen.

Nehemiah 10:37 “Moreover, we will bring to the storeroom of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil….

Have a blessed day.

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In the wilderness…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 9:5-6 … “Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD….

I am a big fan of analogies because they help me make sense of things that are often difficult to understand. I have often thought of difficult times, especially difficult times for which I see no solution, as wilderness—utterly barren of other life, utterly inhospitable, desolate, overgrown, without a trail or path or clear space to leave, frightening, beyond my ability to escape. 

Nehemiah 9:16-17 “But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey Your commands. They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles You performed among them….”

This idea of wilderness emphasizes WILD—untamed, beyond my strength to endure. Perhaps that is why Isaiah 43:19 (“See, I am doing a new thing! …do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness….”) has always provided balm for my weary, frightened soul when I am wondering in metaphorical wilderness. I feel that same sense of comfort, knowing that God is present and working, in today’s chapter.

Nehemiah 9:19 “Because of Your great compassion You did not abandon them in the wilderness….”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You don’t abandon us in the wilderness, even at our worst, that You are making a way, even if we can’t yet perceive it. Thank You for being present with us in the wilderness. Help us never to forget that You there. Amen.

Nehemiah 9:21 “For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing….”

Have a blessed day.

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God is the focus…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” … 

People often view events only from their own perspective—how an event touches or effects the person directly. The Israelites were hearing and understanding, probably for the first time, God’s word. The veil was torn from their eyes, and they were seeing, truly understanding for the first time, the depth of their sin. The horrifying reality of their sin caused them much anguish.

Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our LORD. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

But Nehemiah tells them, essentially, that they are focusing on the wrong thing. They are focusing on and distressed about their sin instead of focusing on and being joyous about their God. Nehemiah stresses that this is a holy day and not to grieve—they finally understand their sin and their God—this is a cause for celebration. God’s joy at their understanding is their strength as they bear the burden of the knowledge of their sin. God is the focus, the reason for celebration, instead of mourning the failures of man.

Nehemiah 8:11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are the focus, always—Your goodness, Your mercy, Your grace. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts on You always. Help us not to grieve our shortcomings, but to focus on Your joy in our return to You. Draw us closer. Amen.

Nehemiah 8:12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Have a blessed day.

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Such overwhelming thankfulness…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 7:1 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed.

There are some chapters that I don’t think I would grasp at all without commentary. This is one. The commentary on this chapter brought up the earlier idea that God made us to thrive instead of merely survive. That thriving involves the ability to worship and praise God freely in thanksgiving.

Nehemiah 7:2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

Nehemiah’s focus from the beginning was completing the wall so that the Israelites could safely and with freedom worship God. And suddenly I’m thankful in an entirely new way. I am thankful that we don’t need walls and gates in order to safely worship. I’m thankful that we can gather together digitally with our fellow Christians from another denomination during a difficult time to worship. I’m thankful that we can work with a different denomination to help local victims of a flood. 

Nehemiah 7:3a I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot….” 

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You that a chapter I didn’t fully grasp led me to such overwhelming thankfulness for the freedom I enjoy to worship and praise You. Thank You for Your presence here, Immanuel, God with us. Thank You. Amen.

Nehemiah 7:3b “…While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have then shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.”

Have a blessed day.

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Fear is a choice…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 6:8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”

Just like with Nehemiah 4, this chapter should be incredibly discouraging. Sanballat and his cronies have resorted to lies and slander to stop work on the wall. They whisper of impending rebellion led by Nehemiah himself. The goal is to get Nehemiah so busy defending himself from rumors that he has no time for God’s work. Sadly, had I been Nehemiah, the ploy probably would have worked because I would have been concerned about my reputation, my good name, being sullied. And that was Sanballat’s entire mission. 

Nehemiah 6:9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

It’s sobering to realize I would have fallen into his plot because of my fear of other people believing a lie. Commentary says: “No enemy can make us afraid; all they can do is try to make us choose fear—but it is up to us to choose it.” Again, sobering. Fear is something I must willingly choose. Yet Nehemiah refuses. He recognizes their ploy and prays for strength to concentrate on God’s work, not Sanballat’s lies.

Nehemiah 6:14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that it doesn’t matter what the world thinks. You are all that matters. Help me never to choose fear again, to remember that it is a choice I willingly make and one I can willingly turn away from. Help me to choose You. Always. Amen.

Nehemiah 6:15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.

Have a blessed day.

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Crossing a line…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 5:10 “I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest!”

There is a saying, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.” The corresponding scripture is 1 Cor 10:23 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. We certainly see that philosophy at work in this chapter. The nobles and officials weren’t technically doing anything outside the scope of their power with their taxes and interest rates, but morally, they were certainly crossing a line.

Nehemiah 5:11 “Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”

Commentary points out that there is no mention of work on the wall in this chapter. They are so busy dealing with the fallout of exorbitant fees that they could not focus on the real work that needed to be done—God’s work. Nehemiah understands that the money issues—greed and poverty, excess and want—are taking them away from the what is important—God’s work.

Nehemiah 5;12 “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.” Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for understanding that there are so many things that get in the way of the work You would have us to do. Help us to stay focused on You and Your kingdom work. Help us not to take advantage of others just because it is possible for us to do so. Help us to work together to shine Your light and continue Your work. Draw us closer. Amen.

Nehemiah 5:16 …I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

Have a blessed day.