Malachi 1:1 – 4:6

December 29, 2010

Malachi speaks to the people about the disrespect they had for God. The people were self-reliant. They were being punished, yet they were sure that they could rebuild and prosper in their own strength. They defiled God's altars by bringing God what they didn't want (the blind, sick, crippled animals) instead of giving God their best. They kept arguing and questioning God. They weren't questioning God about what they should be doing, they were arguing with God about what He was doing and trying to "explain" or rationalize their wrong behavior as right. God clearly says that the person who cheats will be cursed. The cheater promises to do what is right, and has the means to do so, but then chooses to do what God says is wrong.

"Honor my name," says the LORD. "If you don't, I will send a curse on you and your blessings." God goes on to say very graphically what He will do to them. He holds them accountable. "With your teachings you have caused many people to do wrong... you have not been careful to do what I say, but instead you take sides in court cases. So I have caused you to be hated and disgraced in front of everybody... I hate people who do cruel things as easily as they put on clothes... so be careful and do not break your trust." The LORD Almighty says, "I will come to you and judge you. I will be quick to testify against those who take part in evil magic, adultery, and lying under oath, those who cheat workers of their pay and who cheat widows and orphans, those who are unfair to foreigners, and those who do not respect me."

"I, the LORD, do not change... return to me and I will return to you." Then God says to test His faithfulness—give Him your best and a full tenth of what you earn—and He will open the windows of heaven and pour out all the blessings you need. ALL! He will totally provide everything you need.

Malachi goes on to say that there will come a day of judgment. Those who have honored and respected the LORD will be remembered and be His own. But, that cannot be said for everyone. The differences between good and evil people, between those who serve God and those who don't will be exposed.

"There is a day coming that will burn like a hot furnace, and all the proud and evil people will be like straw. On that day they will be completely burned up so that not a root or branch will be left... But for you who honor me, goodness will shine on you like the sun, with healing in its rays. You will jump around like well-fed calves. Then you will crush the wicked like ashes under your feet on the day I will do this," says the LORD All-Powerful.

We have no right to argue with and question* God. He is God—we are man. He is the Potter—we are the clay. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

*We absolutely should inquire of God, but we have no right to question God's authority.  

Addendum: 9/15/14 ~ The pause button has been hit again. After not adding any new labels for months, this past week I added three: Accountability; God's Will; and Confession. I have talked about those topics many, many times before. How did I miss creating labels for them sooner? So, before I continue on with Job,I am going back to the beginning and re-reading what I have already completed and tagging those labels where appropriate. I'm sure in the future it will become clear why those topics were added at this time and why I have been paused again.

Accountability. God's Will. Confession.


Next Entry: LORD, What Am I to Do?

Nehemiah 11:1 – 13:31

December 27, 1010

The wall was offered as a gift to God. Two large groups of choruses went up on the top of the wall and sang songs of joy to God. (This is the same wall that Sanballet and Tobiah said would fall down if a fox ran up it.) God gave them great joy. The Book of Teachings was read to the people. The Teachings said no Ammonite or Moabite was allowed in the meeting to worship with them because of what they had done. They had hired Balaam to put a curse on Israel. But God turned the curse into a blessing.

Later Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem. He discovers that the ties with Tobiah had not been broken. Instead, he had been given a room inside the temple. Nehemiah was upset and threw him and his belongings out. He ordered the room to be purified and brought back to what it was supposed to be used for. He also restored the Levites and Sabbath as a holy day.

Three times in Chapter 13 Nehemiah says, "Remember me, my God." Remember me for my love of you. Remember me because of Your great love and mercy. Remember me. Be kind to me. Nehemiah asks to be remembered by God because of his faithfulness to God and because he understood the order

God

↓

 Man.

Then Nehemiah says, "Remember them, my God." Remember Sanballat and Tobiah. Remember those who tried to oppose the Israelites by ridicule, by anger, by discouragement, by greed and heartlessness, by deceit and trickery, by scare tactics, and by fear. Remember them for what they have done.

Addendum:  9/15/14 ~ See Genesis 19:30–38 for how the Moabites and Ammonites began. See Jeremiah 48 & 49 to read what God says about their end.   

Addendum #2: 12/26/14 ~ In Nehemiah 13, Nehemiah asked God to "remember." Remember me—for my obedience. Remember me—for my love for the Temple. Remember me—for doing what was right. Remember me—for my faithfulness. Please be kind to me. Then Nehemiah says—remember them. Remember how they disobeyed you and went against your teachings.

Malachi records what will happen. God will remember and judgment will happen. We must take God and His commandments (and consequences) seriously. 


Next Entry: Malachi 1:1 – 4:6

Nehemiah 9:1 – 10:39

December 21, 2010

Confession. They had the desire to know what was in God's teaching. Once they heard—they understood. Once they understood—they obeyed. And when they obeyed—they confessed. The people stood up and prayed to God. They started their prayer with praise to God for WHO He was (is). They recounted all God had done for them in the past. They took full responsibility for the sins they and their forefathers committed. They confessed they were unworthy, but they also realized that God had been (and is) a covenant keeping, kind, and merciful God.

After confession comes change. It's not enough to realize you've done wrong and to seek forgiveness—change must occur. Genesis 17:2-8 lists the "I will's" of God and His covenant promises to Abraham. Now the Israelites made a covenant with God. They made an oath and promised to keep it, even attaching a curse to it so they would be sure to follow through with their promises of "we will."

They promised to:

• Follow the Teachings of God and obey all the commands, rules, and laws of God.
• Keep themselves separate from the world.
• Keep the commands of service to the temple.
• Keep the commands of giving the first of everything to God.
• Not ignore the Temple of God.

From Peace with God by Billy Graham:

"You will want to do only His will. You are utterly and completely devoted to Him. There is a new self determination, inclination, disposition, a new principle of living, new choices. You seek to glorify God."  

Addendum:  12/26/14 ~  In my Bible I have highlighted the entire people's prayer found in Nehemiah 9:5b–37.

Blessed be YOUR name...
YOU are the only LORD...
YOU made the heavens...
YOU made the earth....
YOU give life...
YOU are the LORD...
YOU made an agreement...
YOU have kept YOUR promises...
YOU do what is right...
YOU saw...
YOU heard...
YOU did signs and miracles...
YOU knew how proud they were...
YOU became famous...
YOU divided the sea...
YOU threw the people chasing them in the deep water...
YOU led the way...
YOU came down...
YOU gave them fair rules...
YOU told them...
YOU gave them bread...
YOU gave them directions...

     But our ancestors were proud and stubborn...

     They refused to listen...

     They forgot the miracles...

     They became stubborn and turned against YOU...    

YOU are a forgiving God...

YOU are kind and full of mercy...

YOU do not become angry quickly...

YOU have great love...

YOU did not leave them...

     Our ancestors made their own gods...

     They spoke against YOU...

YOU have great mercy...

YOU did not leave them...

YOU gave YOUR good Spirit to teach them...

YOU gave them manna to eat and water to drink...

YOU took care of them...

YOU gave them kingdoms and nations...

YOU gave them more land...

YOU made their children as many as the stars in the sky...

YOU brought them into the land...

YOU handed over the people in the land...

     They enjoyed YOUR great goodness...

     But they were disobedient...

     They turned against YOU...

     They ignored YOUR teachings...

YOUR prophets warned them to come back to YOU...

     But they killed those prophets...

     They spoke against YOU...

YOU handed them over to their enemies..

     Their enemies treated them badly...

     They cried out to YOU...

YOU heard from heaven...

YOU had great mercy...

YOU provided a way...

     But as soon as they had rest they again did what was evil...    

YOU left them to their enemies...

     When they cried out to YOU...

YOU heard from heaven...

Because of YOUR mercy...
YOU saved them again and again...

YOU warned them to return to YOUR teachings...

     But they were proud...

     They did not obey YOUR commands...

     They sinned against YOUR laws...

     They were stubborn, unwilling, and disobedient...

YOU were patient...

YOU warned them...

     But they did not pay attention...    

YOU handed them over to others...

YOUR mercy is great...

YOU did not destroy them or leave them...

YOU are a kind and merciful God...

YOU are the great and mighty and wonderful God...

YOU keep YOUR agreement of love...

     Do not let our trouble seem unimportant to you...

YOU have been fair in everything...

YOU have been loyal...

     We have failed YOU...

YOU have never failed us...

     We promise to obey and follow YOUR commands...

     We will keep the agreements we made with YOU...

     We will honor YOU...

What an excellent example of how we all should pray.

• Praise 
• Understanding
• Obedience
• Confession 
• Praise.   

It's all about YOU Jesus. It's all about YOU. Psalm 8:1 - "Oh LORD, our Lord. How majestic is YOUR name in all the earth.."


Next Entry: Nehemiah 11:1 – 13:31

Nehemiah 8:1–18 (Feast of Shelters)

December 20, 2010

The temple is built and the wall is built. The people ask Ezra to read from the Book of the Teachings. Ezra began by praising the LORD. The Levites explained the teachings so everyone could understand what was being read. The people were finally "getting it." At first they were sad and crying. But the Levites told them not be sad but to rejoice, "Because the joy of the LORD is your strength." Then the people, for the first time since Joshua—built the shelters as God had told them to do. Ezra continued to read to them from the Book every day.

Desire. Before there can be any heart change, you must first have a desire to learn more about what God is teaching. The Israelites first wanted to know what God's word said. Then they understood and obedience followed. It always happens in that order. After obedience comes confession. When you seek God, He does reveal Himself and you do find joy. The joy of the LORD is my strength. Not was, not will be, but is both now and forevermore.

Addendum: 12/23/14 ~ They praised the LORD first. Their understanding came after praising the LORD. That is when our true understanding came as well. When you praise the LORD first, it puts the God → man order in the right perspective. When your perspective is right, then you are in a position where God can teach you what He wants you to learn, and understanding begins. After understanding, comes obedience and confession. Then it begins all over again with praise. Once you have understanding, you cannot keep it to yourself. You must share what you have learned with others. 

This next passage of scripture brought so much meaning and understanding to us. We already knew we were supposed to build something to memorialize all the LORD has done for us, we just didn't know the how or completely understand the why. Nehemiah 8 explains it. "Go out into the mountains, and bring back branches... make shelters with them, as it is written." This was to be done to fulfill God's commands to Moses that the people were to live in shelters during the feast of the seventh month. I've never paid much attention to the Feast of Shelters. But this time it jumped out at me when it said they were to build the shelters on their land. What was this commandment to Moses from God about? I wanted to find out more about the Feast of Shelters. As I researched it, I was amazed.     

The purpose of this commandment from the LORD, was to remind the people of God's faithfulness in providing shelter for them during their time of being in the wilderness and captivity. Not just as a reminder of a distant past experience, but a present tense remembrance and celebration—a time to worship the LORD for all He had done in protecting and guiding their lives.

This is the exact reason we have wanted to build some sort of structure to memorialize the LORD's faithfulness. For a while we considered building an open arbor, but we decided it needed to be something more than that. After reading about the Feast of Shelters, we realized it really needs to be an actual shelter. A shelter that will serve as a remembrance for how God has sheltered us during our seven year faith journey.

The Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Shetlers during the 7th month. I looked up to see when the seventh month was in the Jewish calendar. It is during the months of September and October. I hope by September–October 2015, our shelter of remembrance with stones engraved with the scriptures Jane (Her Name Was Jane) told us to read, will be finished and the remembrance celebration can begin.

Addendum #2: 6/26/16 ~  The planning for the shelter began in September–October 2015. Lord willing, it will be done by September–October 2016. The shelter structure is built. The old street brick altar/fireplace is finished the old street brick floor is almost finished. The stones engraved with the God-given promises Jane gave us are all finished. We picked up the last engraved stone yesterday. This week we plan on starting the walkway of engraved stones and cobblestones which leads to the fireplace. The sign that says—"Praise Shelter, Est. 2016"—is routed and only needs to be stained. It truly is coming together. Blessed be the name of THE Lord.

Addendum #3: 2018 ~ Here is a picture of the Praise Shelter and a video of the cobblestone path.

Next Entry: Nehemiah 9:1 – 10:39

Nehemiah 6:1 – 7:73 (Continued)

December 18, 2010

From the Life Lesson:

"I happen to be facing a crisis at this time" went on my seatmate. "Just what it is, is irrelevant, but to get ready for it my mind must be working at a maximum, so I follow a procedure. First, I sharpen my mind by reading the (the Bible)... then I affirm God's presence. I remind myself that the LORD is with me, for He said, "I am with you always!" I spend a moment sensing and feeling the LORD's actual presence... next, I pray that my decisions will be right. Having completed those procedures, I then practice one of the wisest bits of advice in the Bible. Know what that is?" "You tell me," I urged. "Having done all, to stand. When you've done all you can do, what more can you do? Just put everything confidently into God's hands. He will bring it out okay." ~ From The Positive Power of Jesus by Norman Vincent Peale.

We are standing. We choose to believe.

Job 13:15 - "Even if God kills me, I have hope in him. I will still defend my ways to his face.
Job 19:25 - "I know that my Defender lives, and in the end he will stand upon the earth."
Psalm 13:5,6 - "I trust in your love. My heart is happy because you saved me. I sing to the LORD because he has taken care of me."

These next references are entire chapter and verses about faith. "Faith is being sure of the things we hope for and knowing something is real even if we do not see it." I will write about these chapters when I come to them in my readings.

Daniel 3:6 – 7:23 - Shadrach, Meschach, Abednego, and Daniel
Matthew 9:18–25 - The young girl brought back to life and the woman healed.
Luke 7:36–50 - The sinful woman washing Jesus' feet.
Romans 4:18–24 - Abraham's faith
Hebrews 11 - An entire chapter about faith.  Believing. 


Next Entry: Nehemiah 8:1–18 (Feast of Shelters)

Nehemiah 6:1 – 7:73

December 17, 2010

Opposition by Deceit and Trickery: The opposition(s) by ridicule, anger, discouragement, greed, and heartlessness didn't work, so now Sanballat and Tobiah tried trickery and deceit, under the guise of seeking peace. They sent Nehemiah a letter asking to meet together.

Response: Nehemiah refuses. He understood they were trying to harm him.

Opposition by Relentlessness: They send the same message to Nehemiah four times. The 5th time they send an unsealed letter with a messenger. They've upped the rhetoric. This time they say that the word is out on what he (Nehemiah) is trying to do. People are talking about him; everyone knows he is trying to be king of Judah; he is trying to be in charge; and the king will hear about this, "So come... let's discuss this together."

Response: Nehemiah sends back the same response as the first four times. They up the ante and accuse him of trying to take over Judah. This time he sends back a reply that says, "Nothing you are saying is really happening. You are just making it up in your own mind."

Opposition by Scare Tactics: Our enemies were trying to scare us, thinking, "they will get too weak to work. Then the wall will not be finished."

Response: Prayer. "God, make me strong."

Opposition by Fear: Nehemiah goes to see Shemaiah. Shemaiah says, "Let's meet in the Temple of God. Let's go inside the Temple and close the doors because men are coming at night to kill you." Fear.

Response: Nehemiah said, "Should a man like me run away? Should I run for my life? I will not go." Nehemiah knew that God had not sent Shemaiah for his protection, but rather Sanballat and Tobiah had hired him to frighten Nehemiah. If they could get him to succumb to fear, then Nehemiah would have lost all credibility. To try and take matters into his own hands to protect himself would have shown a lack of faith. Do you trust God—or not? Is the LORD, God—or not?

Nehemiah prayed again. "My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat and what they have done." He was asking God to hold them accountable for their actions.

The wall was finished. When their enemies and the nations around them who opposed them saw it, they were shamed. The NIV says they lost their self-confidence. Nehemiah 6:16 - "Then they understood the work had been done with the help of our God."

Tobiah continued to try and undermine Nehemiah. Some of the Jews kept in contact with Tobiah, telling Nehemiah about the good Tobiah was doing. They would tell Tobiah what Nehemiah would say about him and Tobiah would write letters trying to frighten him. But—God!

Addendum: 12/20/14 ~ I recognize the actions of  Sanballat and Tobiah. The account of how Sanballat and Tobiah tried to defeat and destroy Nehemiah and prevent him from accomplishing God's plans, is like a step-by-step description of the opposition we've encountered; it mirrors the tactics used in "the storm." I'm struck by the fact that there really are no "new" sins, motives, or methods. The sins of yesterday are the same sins of today. The heart of the matter reveals the matter of the heart.    

God's will cannot be circumvented. CANNOT! His will, WILL ultimately be realized. You can try anything and everything under the sun, but nothing surprises or outwits the creator of all things. Sanballat and Tobiah tried, but God ruined their plans. God's will WILL prevail! God did not allow their evil plans to succeed.

We will wait on the LORD. We will trust HIS promises.


Next Entry: Nehemiah 6:1 – 7:73 (Continued)

Nehemiah 5:1–19

December 16, 2010

Opposition by Greed and Heartlessness: The Jews were exiled from their 70 years of bondage, but now here they were putting their own people in bondage by usury. They were trying to get rich off of their own people and charging innocent people a high rate of interest for the necessities they needed.

Response: Nehemiah was horrified to learn what they were doing. "You are charging your own brothers too much interest." KJV - usury. "What you are doing is not right. Don't you fear God? Stop charging them so much... give their fields, etc. back... also give back the extra you charged." The people responded with restitution. They returned what they had taken and did not demand it anymore.

Then Nehemiah gathered the leaders together and had them make an oath to do what they promised. Then he shook out the folds of his robe and said, "In this way may God shake out everyone who does not keep his promise. May God shake him out of his house and out of the things that are his. Let that person be shaken out and emptied." Wow! What a visual of what God will do. I can't imagine being "shaken out," removed, and considered worthless to God.

Who does not keep his promise (to stop the usury, to return what they had taken by force) shake him, God shake him, out of his house, out of his things. Emptied! Emptied! You can't stop what God has decided to do.  

The people did what they promised. I wonder if there was anyone who was "shaken" out because they didn't do what they promised? How much better to do what the LORD commands than to be "shaken" out.

Nehemiah led by example. He was the governor and had the right to demand money, the best food, etc. But he did not do so, "because I feared God... I never demanded the food that was due a governor because the people were already working very hard."

Nehemiah 5:19 - "Remember to be kind to me, my God, for all the good I have done for these people."

God uses all types of people: poor and rich, helpless and powerful, common and royal, etc. But many times throughout scripture God used the common ordinary people to accomplish His WILL. Mary and Joseph, the disciples, himself a carpenter, etc.

"God frequently selects the poor to carry out his most important tasks. He sees potential that we do not. And when then task is done, the poor and weak are less likely to boast that they deserve the credit." ~ From Rich Christians in the Age of Hunger by Ronald Sider. 

Addendum: 12/20/14 ~ Nehemiah was going about God's business not his own. He was governor of Judah for twelve years. He had the right to gain privilege, better food, money, land, etc. But he didn't do it. He clearly understood he was God's servant. The work he was doing was for God's glory, therefore he did not use his position or power for personal gain. "We didn't buy any fields."

We have known from the beginning of this seven year faith journey we are on that it is not about us—it is only about HIM. When we came to the realization that we were to tell HIS story we knew we could not benefit from it in any sort of monetary way. It wasn't our story—it was HIS Story. We knew Jane (Her Name Was Jane), if she were still alive, would never have wanted to benefit from it either. It wasn't her story—it was HIS Story.

How cool is it that all of what we knew from the beginning is actually going to happen and in a way we could have never foreseen. See The LORD Answers! and I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!! All freely available to whomever God directs to find it. That just brings me SO much joy and happiness.

May ALL the honor and glory go to GOD! 


Next Entry: Nehemiah 6:1 – 7:73

Nehemiah 4:1–23

December 15, 2010

Sanballat and Tobiah continued their opposition. In Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) KJV Bible, Scofield divides the opposition into sections.

Opposition by Ridicule: They make fun of the Israelites. Sanballat calls them weak and incapable. Tobiah belittles them by saying, "If a fox climbed up on the stone wall they are rebuilding, it would break down." Totally discounting who they were or their abilities. A complete hatred of them.

Response: Nehemiah prays. "Hear us God. We are hated. Turn the insults of Sanballat and Tobiah back on their own heads." (Cross Reference Psalm 140:9) "Let them be captured and stolen like valuables. Do not hide their guilt or take away their sins so you can't see them..." (Cross Reference Psalm 140:10–11) So they continued building the wall to half of its height.

Opposition by Anger: Sanballat and Tobiah were angry at the Jews success at getting the wall half done. So they made plans to go to Jerusalem to fight and stir up trouble.

Response: The Israelites prayed and set up guards to watch and protect them day and night.

Opposition by Discouragement: The Jews were facing a monumental task in rebuilding the wall in order to defend themselves. They were tired. They knew their enemies were lying in wait for an opportunity to attack. "Everywhere you turn the enemy will attack (you)." (Verse 12). They (the Jews) won't know we are coming until it's too late. We will kill them and stop the work. (Verse 11) They felt surrounded and discouragement set in.

Response: Nehemiah reminded them of "whose" they were. (Verse 14) "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the LORD, who is great and powerful..." Faith. They couldn't do it, but they knew the ONE who could. Their enemies heard they knew about their plans and that God had ruined their plans.

So they went back to work rebuilding the wall. Half would work on the wall while half was standing guard, ready to protect themselves at any time. Those who carried material carried the material in one hand and carried a weapon with the other. The people were spread out along the wall so they were far apart and vulnerable. Nehemiah had a man with a trumpet stay beside him at all times. He told the people, "Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, assemble there. Our God will fight for us." 

They clearly understood it would be God who gave the victory. But they also understood they needed to be wise, diligent, and prepared at all times.

Joshua 1:9 - "Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you..."

James 1:2-4 - Have troubles? God can give you joy—faith—patience—everything you need.

Addendum: Two things stood out to me again today (12/18/14). The first is a step-by-step outline of what to do whenever you are facing opposition for being obedient to God's plans. Nehemiah 4:9: 1) Prayer—take whatever the issue is to God; 2) Plan—follow God's leading; and then 3) DO—what He has shown you to do. That should always be our response and it should always be in that order.  

The second thing that stood out today is found in Nehemiah 4:10–14 - "The workers are getting tired. There is so much trash we cannot rebuild the wall..." Trash, junk, and toxic material. All terms we have used to describe enormous amount of lawsuit paperwork, files, and other debris "the storm" has generated. Trash, junk, and toxic material. It literally is poison. Psalm 140:3 describes it as venomous; the "poison of vipers is on their lips." The lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed is particularly vile and vicious. Oh, how grateful we are that we removed all the lawsuit "debris" from our home in 2012. While the junk will always be swirling around somewhere in cyber space, it is no longer taking up space in our home or in our lives.

How are we supposed to move on and complete the tasks we're supposed to do when the "junk" is in the way? The Jewish people wondered the same thing. They were threatened. They were getting tired. How was the rebuilding of the wall ever going to work out? Ten times they were told by their own people that this won't work and that they were setting themselves up to be harmed. When God began to reveal our next steps to us (See LORD - What Am I to Do?) the fear of the "junk" raised its ugly head. "There is so much trash we cannot rebuild the wall." What they were feeling wasn't foolish. It was very real. But when God calls—God provides. Nehemiah followed the blueprint:

1. Pray
2. Plan
3. Do

Nehemiah prepared a plan for their protection. He provided a way for them to be able to protect themselves, and then he told them: "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and powerful. Fight for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives, and your homes." Be wise. Do what is right. Don't be afraid. Remember this battle is the LORD's. Stand strong. Do your part. Remember, the LORD is great and powerful.

That is exactly what we will do. We will not hide. We will not quit. We will not be afraid. We will Pray. We will Plan. We will Do. We will share our story, which is HIS story.

When God calls—God provides.   


Next entry: Nehemiah 5:1–19

Nehemiah 2:11 – 3:32

December 14, 2010

Nehemiah quietly and without fanfare, goes out at night to inspect the wall and gates. Nehemiah knew God was sending him to repair the wall and gates, yet I love the fact that he didn't just arrive in town and boisterously take over. He did due diligence. He was wise, exactly how God wants us to respond and act even when we know the end result of what He wants us to accomplish.

After Nehemiah did all the ground work, he calls the people together and says to them, "You can see" (not I have determined) "the trouble we have here... Jerusalem is a pile of ruins... come, let us rebuild..." He also told them how God had been kind to him and what the king had said to him. The people answered, "Let's start rebuilding." And everyone began to work hard. Well, almost everyone. Sanballat, Tobiah, and others made fun of them, laughed, ridiculed, despised, and mocked them. They were upset Nehemiah had come to help the Israelites. Nehemiah replied to their contempt, "The God of heaven will give us success. We, his servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no share, claim, or memorial in Jerusalem."

And they began rebuilding, dedicating their work to the LORD's service. I love how it describes how the people worked together. They each had their job to do, and they did it. Over and over throughout chapter three it says, "next to him... next to him."

When God has a plan we can trust Him to help us accomplish that plan. The key is making sure it is God's plan and not our own, and then being diligent and wise in our decision making. And most importantly, standing strong when others try to discourage or prevent you from following God's plan. 

Today's Life Lesson verses (read yesterday):

Psalm 4:8 - "I go to bed and sleep in peace, because, LORD only you keep me safe."
Proverbs 18:10 - "The LORD is like a strong tower; those who do right can run to him for safety."
Isaiah 41:10 - "So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you."
John 17:11–12 - "...Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name..."
II Thessalonians 3:3 - "But the LORD is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the Evil One."
Hebrews 13:5–6 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be satisfied with what you have. God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never forget you." So we can be sure when we say, "I will not be afraid, because the LORD is my helper. People can't do anything to me."

"You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you." ~ Max Lucado

Addendum: 12/17/14 ~ Two things stuck out to me today as I was re-reading Nehemiah 2:11 – 3:32. The first is found in Nehemiah 2:12 - "I had not told anyone what God had caused me to do for Jerusalem." No fan fare, no announcements, no presumptuousness, no "look at me," just a quiet understanding that God was using him for such a time as this. It had been months since Nehemiah first became aware that he was supposed to do something. He didn't know what all God had in store for him. He just knew he was going to faithful, and he put one foot in front of the other and started on his journey of following the LORD's lead. The entire process of building the wall took time. It wasn't something that was completed quickly. When one area was completed they surrendered that part to God and went on to the next area. It was done step by step. As each step was faithfully completed, God revealed what the next step should be.

The second thing that stuck out to me today is found in Nehemiah 2:20. Sanballat and Tobiah did everything in their power to disrupt Nehemiah's work. Nehemiah replied to their contempt, "The God of heaven will give us success. We, his servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no share, claim, or memorial in Jerusalem."  When I read what I wrote I thought I must have missed a word while writing.  I thought it should say "you (will) have no share, claim, or memorial in Jerusalem." So I looked up the verse to see if I had inadvertently left out the word will. But I didn't leave it out. The verse is written exactly like I wrote it.

I thought Nehemiah/God was saying that because of their actions, Sanballat and Tobiah will not have a share, claim, or memorial in Jerusalem, a future accountability for their present actions. But that isn't what it is saying. Sanballat and Tobiah DO NOT have a share, claim, or memorial in Jerusalem NOW. It is not what I thought it was saying, but it makes total sense and it explains their actions. It was because of their present reality (not being surrendered to God), that the heart of the matter was exposed. It revealed itself in their opposition to God's plans and "we, his servants." While there was dissension and opposition along the way, it did not prevent the wall from being built and God's will from being fulfilled. It only prevented Sanballat and Tobiah from receiving what could have been theirs: a past, present, and future "share, claim, or memorial in Jerusalem."     

For such a time as this. Over the past several years God has been revealing my next step one at a time. In just the last several months, there seems to have been an increase in understanding the path my husband and I are on. I now know, at least in part, the plan God is directing me towards in telling His Story. It feels like the next part of our faith journey is about to begin and His Story will soon be told. See The LORD Answers! There is a reason I am now reading the Bible from Nehemiah to Job. God is showing me new things all over again just as I am in the process of realizing what our next steps are to be.

I am in awe. Once again, I stand amazed.


Next Entry:  Nehemiah 4:1–23     

Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:10

December 13, 2010

Nehemiah hears that the exiles who returned were floundering. The walls around Jerusalem were broken down and the gates burned. This greatly saddened and upset Nehemiah. His response? He prayed. LORD of heaven, you are loyal, you keep your promises with those who love you and obey you. Hear my prayers. We've sinned against you, and you have done what you said you would do, you've scattered us among other nations. But God, you've also said that if we return to you, you will return to us. Hear my prayer, give me success, "allow this king to show kindness to me." 

Nehemiah takes the wine into the king. The king notices he is sad and asks him about it. Nehemiah was "very afraid." Even though he had prayed and knew this was what he was to do, it was still a scary thing to face. Nehemiah tells the king why he is sad. The king asks him what he wants. Nehemiah 1:4-5 - "First I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered the king." If I have pleased you, please send me to Jerusalem so I can rebuild it. 

The king sent him. Nehemiah understood that God was the one who was answering his prayer and that God "was showing kindness to me." (Nehemiah 2:8) The king agreed to all he asked for because God was preparing the way.   

Addendum:  9/10/14 ~  I love how Nehemiah writes. The way he writes is a reflection of the type of person he is. He doesn't record the events that happened as a means of honoring or elevating himself even though he was in a position of power. He simply writes from his heart, and then because the reader would need to know the information he adds the sentence, "I was the one who served wine to the king." God used Nehemiah to accomplish HIS plan because Nehemiah was faithful and willing. When Nehemiah poured out his heart before the LORD in prayer he FIRST praised God for who He was and then he accepted the accountability for his actions and for the actions of his fellow Israelites.

AFTER his worship, AFTER his confession, and AFTER he acknowledges the correct God → man relationship (I am your servant), THEN he reminds God of the teachings and promises He (the LORD) gave to Moses. To remind God of His teachings and promises means that Nehemiah knew the teachings and promises. God placed Nehemiah in the position of being the king's wine bearer for such a time as this, but it took Nehemiah's faithfulness and willingness to complete God's will.

I want to be faithful and willing so that whatever God has planned for my life can be fulfilled as HE would desire.   


Next Entry: Nehemiah 2:11 – 3:22

Ezra 9:1 – 10:44

December 11, 2010

Ezra arrives at Jerusalem only to discover that the exiles who returned had not kept themselves separate from the people surrounding them. Ezra was upset, angry, and in shock. He could not believe that the Israelites had again violated God's word. He fell on his knees before God, crying out to him in prayer. Because Ezra was right with God, (a man who not only knew the commands of God given through Moses, but followed them as well), he could clearly see what the sins of the Israelites were, and he cried out to the LORD for them. "I'm too ashamed and embarrassed to (come) to you... our sins are so many... because of our sins... we have been punished... foreign kings have taken away our things and shamed us... but you've given us hope... you haven't left us... you've given us a wall to protect us... but look what we've done! We've disobeyed your commands, the land is ruined, the people living there have spoiled it by their evil. You said we should keep ourselves separate and not wish for their peace or success, but we didn't listen, so what is happening to us is our own fault." Ezra continues praying in first person, even though he himself was not guilty of any of these actions. "We have done evil things and our guilt is great.But you God have punished us less than we deserve."  Those that agreed with Ezra joined him. Then Shecaniah speaks up and says, "There is still hope." Now let's make an agreement with God to do the right thing and separate ourselves from the sin. Ezra, you're in charge! Get up! Have courage and do it! We will support you.

So Ezra got up and put the plan in action. He ordered all the captives who had returned to meet together in Jerusalem. Anyone who did not come within three days would lose his property and would no longer be a member of the community of the returned captives.

They came. Many of them were complaining, but they came. Ezra told them, "You have been unfaithful... You are guilty. Now confess it to the LORD... do his will and separate yourselves..." The people (all except for a few) responded that he was right. Ezra and the leaders put a plan together and the Israelites were separated from the sin and evil around them.

"Holiness produces humility of heart. Grace is then applied to the heart of humility... God's glory is only manifest, however, to the heart that has taken off its mask. We must come to the chamber of prayer with humility, honesty, and transparency." ~ Sammy Tippit

Repentance comes before forgiveness. God wants to forgive. But He also wants honesty and acceptance (our acknowledgement) of where we have sinned. Not just a cursory, "Please forgive me from all my sins." No, what God wants is true repentance. LORD, forgive me for ________. We need to be specific. Being specific shows repentance. It's owning up to your actions, accepting responsibility for them, and seeking God's forgiveness for your actions. True. Sincere. Honest.


Next Entry: Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:10 

Ezra 7:1 – 8:36

December 10, 2010

Ezra was sent to Jerusalem to check on the exiles who had returned. Ezra was a teacher who worked hard to know and understand the laws of the LORD. The king sent him a letter detailing what he was sending with him and what he was to do. He told him to use the wisdom he had from God to choose judges and lawmakers to rule the people of Israel. He made it very clear what should happen to those who disobey God's teaching. Ezra 7:26 - "Whoever does not obey the law of your God... must be punished. He will be killed, or sent away, or have his property taken away, or be put in jail." Wow! Pretty clear and explicit directions.

1)  Killed—death
2)  Sent away—banishment
3)  Property taken—confiscation of goods/property
4)  Put into jail—imprisonment

The KJV says they should be "speedily" punished.

Ezra praised the LORD because God was the one who caused the king to want to honor the temple. Ezra acknowledged that God was the one giving him courage and help. But even though God was helping them and giving them courage, Ezra was facing a daunting task. He had a large group of people; they were carrying a large amount of gold and silver that the king was sending with them; and they had a great distance to travel through a very dangerous area. Ezra was frankly very concerned and scared. He would have liked to have asked the king for soldiers and horsemen to go with them and protect them all the way, but he knew that would destroy his witness with the king and everyone else he had told about his LORD. Instead, he gathered the people together and prayed. Ezra 8:21-23 - "We would ask God for a safe trip for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road. We had said to the king, 'Our God helps everyone who obeys him, but he is very angry with all who reject him.' So we gave up eating and prayed to our God about our trip, and he answered our prayers.' "

Out on the edge where either God shows up and does it, or you fail.

God showed up. They arrived safely in Jerusalem months later, without losing one single thing. Ezra 8:31 - "Our God helped us and protected us from our enemies and robbers along the way. KJV - "...the hand of God was upon us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and of such as lay in wait by the way."

As frightening as it may be, there is no better place to be but under the hand of God, in total dependence upon Him.


Next Entry: Ezra 9:1 – 10:44