Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

A sense of hope and purpose…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 4:1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews….

This should be a fairly discouraging chapter. The enemies are doing their best to discourage the people and stop their progress by playing mind games, which can be terribly effective. However, I finish this chapter with a sense of hope and purpose. The Jews know why they are doing what they are doing and for Whom they do it. If I walked away from this chapter with nothing else, that would be enough. But God….

Nehemiah 4:2 …and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will the finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”

God showed me another hope and purpose in this chapter. The Jews are halfway through building the wall. Much has been done, but there is still so very much left to do. “The strength of the laborers is giving out” (v10). I am also halfway through my labors, halfway through the school year. My strength is also giving out. But there is a rallying cry here, “Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome….” (v14). I am not alone. God is with me. This is not my work I do. I know for a fact God has me where He wants me. He will strengthen me. Thank You, Jesus.

Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the…people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome….”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are with me, that You will fight for me, that this is Your kingdom work I do. Thank You for seeing my weariness and for covering me with the hope that can only come from You. Draw me closer. Amen.

Nehemiah 4:20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Still much work to do…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 3:1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.

During last night’s Christmas Eve service, my pastor said something along the lines of: everything won’t suddenly be changed when Christmas morning dawns. Jesus’s birth was not a magic bullet that instantly fixed everything. It was a bright light of hope for what was and is to come, but there is still much work to do. That feels like a radical idea, but I think God’s plan was always that we partner with Him in this eternal work.

Nehemiah 3:3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.

On its surface, Nehemiah 3 isn’t an ideal Christmas passage, but the more I read and study and pray, the more I see God’s wisdom in this chapter for today. There is still much work to do, and the dumpster fire of 2020 has only added to that work. But if we all do our part, fix our gate, help our neighbor, love God and love others, reflect the hope of Jesus for all to see, then we will continue to pave the way for the life-changing work of our Savior.

Nehemiah 3:14 The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the Baby in a manger, who brought hope into the world. Thank You for the opportunity to partner with You in this kingdom work. There is so much work to do, Lord. Help us to do it joyfully. Draw us closer. Amen.

Nehemiah 3:15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

The God of heaven…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 2:1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before….

Several things struck me about this chapter. The first is that it is written in first person (I, me, we), which drew me in in an entirely different way than third person (he, she, they) does. The second is that the action in this chapter comes after four months of prayer.

Nehemiah 2:4-5 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king….

The third is that even though this entire exchange is sanctioned by God, Nehemiah still encounters opposition (from an unexpected source) in the doing. Further, he does not allow that opposition to derail or sidetrack him from God’s will. 

Nehemiah 2:8 …And because of the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that we need to bring all things to You in prayer, that Your will also requires our action, and that just because we root ourselves in Your will does not mean we won’t face obstacles and setbacks. Help us, guide us, and strengthen us, Lord, as we follow Your will for us. Draw us closer. Amen.

Nehemiah 2:20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success…”

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

To thrive instead of merely survive…. (devo reflection)

Nehemiah 1:3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

As I was reading commentary on this chapter, one sentence stopped me in my tracks. The commentator called the people survivors and said, “God has more for us than to be mere survivors.” Surviving is important, it’s a beautiful thing, but mere survival isn’t the goal. God wants us to thrive, not just survive.

Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Monday marked the last day of first semester. I distinctly remember walking out on Monday, thinking, “I survived.” And I’ve mentioned more than once the slog that was often my way forward this semester. But “God has more for us than to be mere survivors.” I can’t get stuck in survival mode.

Nehemiah 1:5-6 Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those people who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel….”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You want more for me than just survival. You made me to thrive. You promise Your strength is perfected in my weakness. You promised never to leave me nor forsake me. You encourage me over and over, “Do not be afraid.” Thank You, Lord, for giving me the strength through You to thrive instead of merely survive. Help me to live boldly into Your promises. Amen.

Nehemiah 1:11 “LORD, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of this Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name….”

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

There is still hope…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 10:1 While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites…gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.

What strikes me in this chapter is the availability of redemption. As a society, I don’t feel like redemption is our focus. We are more of a “three strikes, you’re out” or a “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me” society. Sometimes redemption and second chances seem so out of reach.

Ezra 10:2 Then Shekaniah…said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.”

But God…. Because of His loving kindness, “there is still hope”. Because of His great mercy, He doesn’t write us off when we mess up, no matter how badly. Because of His great love and compassion, “there is still hope.” Thank You, Jesus.

Ezra 10:3 “Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are the God of mercy, love, and compassion, that You are the God of second chances. Thank You that in the chaos and mess that is life, “there is still hope.” Help me to shine Your light, Your hope, for all to see. Draw us closer. Amen.

Ezra 10:4 “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Again and again…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 9:1 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices….”

It’s easy to read today’s chapter in the context of guilt. The remnant is guilty of not living as they should. Ezra feels the weight of that guilt, even though he just returned. He is appalled. God has been so good to them, again and again, and yet they are still so very disobedient.

Ezra 9:2 …And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.”

But instead of reading this chapter through the lens of guilt, I see it through the eyes of God’s grace, mercy, and compassion. He could have wiped them off the face of the earth. He could have reduced Ezra to a pile of ash because of the guilt of Ezra’s people. But He shows grace. He shows compassion. He shows mercy.

Ezra 9:3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that as undeserving as I am, You still allow me to approach Your throne, You still shower daily me with undeserved blessings and mercy. Help me, when I deal with undeserving people, to treat them as You treat me, with compassion, mercy, and grace. Thank You for unconditional, fierce , compassionate love. Amen.

Ezra 9:15 “LORD, the God of Israel, You are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in Your presence.”

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

The hand of our God was on us…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 8:21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.

As I read through this chapter, I knew I wanted to pull these verses for today’s reflection. I believe fully in God’s sovereignty and power. I know He is at work in my life and the lives of my family. But I still doubt and fear when I cannot see a way. I struggle daily to shed this part of myself, to lean into Him and trust because I KNOW He’s got me.

Ezra 8:22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him….”

It feels like a personal failing, but I think I’m making progress. Yesterday, instead of utterly freaking out when I logged in to finishing grading for school and saw NONE of my classes and assignments, I texted our tech person, trying to hold panic at bay. When she responded that she wasn’t near a computer, I took a deep breath and rooted around in my history until I found what I needed. That calm was not from me. And today, as I was in the middle of my prayer and study time, my family needed my help, and it felt like a gift, not a burden, to stop and help them. Thank You, Jesus.

Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for showing me first hand how You are making a way in the wilderness of my fear. Thank You for calm and compassion that come straight from You. Thank You for not giving up on me, no matter how slow and reluctant I can be. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Ezra 8:31 … The hand of our God was on us, and He protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

Have a blessed day.

Posted on

Hope even in the most hopeless of times…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra’s heart is for God. His goal is to study God’s law, to practice it, and to teach it. Artaxerxes wants to placate any gods of foreign conquests so that he and his sons do not face the deity’s wrath. It’s a security measure, but God uses it to help Ezra with his heartfelt quest of knowledge and teaching.

Ezra 7:23a Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven….

This chapter brought Romans 8:28 to mind: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of the those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” When I think about all the mess I’ve seen, heard, and dealt with this semester, I know God can use all of it. He is using it. He is making a way where there is no way. Thanks be to God.

Ezra 7:23b …Why should His wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons?

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You can use all things, even those things that seem impossible to be used for good. You can and will and do use all things for our good and Your glory. Give us hope even in the most hopeless of times, Lord, because You are making a way, even if we can’t yet perceive it (Isaiah 43:19). Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Ezra 7:27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way.

Have a blessed day.