 |
Nehemiah - the unrelenting love of GodIn this study from the book of the prophet Nehemiah, we can see the hearts and acts of God and of the people. It is condensed so we can see the main struggle in the people of Nehemiah's day. Following the tone, I have continued forward in time to tell of the continuing works of God. Read it knowing that it was written for a different time and people but also to examine your own heart and way with the Lord. You are the Creator You are sovereign – all heaven bows before You You chose Your servant You look for faithful hearts You make a covenant with them You fulfill Your promises You are righteous You see the affliction of Your people You hear their cries You perform signs and wonders You know the arrogance of Your enemies You make a great name for Yourself You divided the sea You destroyed Your enemies You led Your people You came down from heaven to speak to Your people You gave just ordinances, true law, good statutes and commandments You made known Your holy Sabbath You provided bread for Your people You brought forth water for them You gave them a land They acted arrogantly against You You are compassionate slow to anger, abounding in loyal love You did not forsake Your people when You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them You still provided food and water You provided for them all the days they wandered You gave them kingdoms and peoples You gave them a land You made their descendents as numerous as the stars You subdued their enemies They became disobedient You heard their cry and had compassion on them You gave them deliverers They did evil after they received Your rest You heard again their cry from heaven You rescued them many times according to Your compassion You admonished them to return to covenant They acted arrogantly toward You You admonished them by Your Spirit and Your prophets They would not listen You were compassionate and they were not destroyed You are a gracious and compassionate God You are great, mighty, and awesome You keep Your covenant and loyal love You are just in allowing the consequences of sin You have dealt faithfully They have acted wickedly They did not serve You or turn from their evil deeds You allowed humanity to see, touch, hear, and be loved by You You invited Your people into a new relationship with You They rejected and killed Your Son You sent Your Spirit to indwell those who would believe You made a new creation and a new covenant You gave eternal life to Your people You wrote to tell us how a redeemed people should live before You You told us of our future and made promise of rewards for those who are faithful You walk in intimacy with those who love You You provide all that is needed for life and godliness You made freedom available for all who will give to You their lives Because of our sins we are in great distress You will cleanse us from all unrighteousness You will restore us to fellowship You will give us peace You offer us joy in all our circumstances You will rebuild the broken places of our lives You make a people of us You will cause the nations to recognize that You are our God You will accomplish Your will through our yielded lives You will be glorified through us Because of all this we are repenting of our sins before You.
Allow the Word in Nehemiah to examine your own heart. If you find that your heart is struggling in the same way that the people of Nehemiah's day were then continue to reread the passages that tell of our God. Let the truth of Who He is change who you are. It worked for the people of Nehemiah's day and knowing God still transforms us now.
|
