Nehemiah 11-13

God's people are settling in their homeland again.  Jerusalem has new life and a new start under Nehemiah and Ezra's leadership (Nehemiah 11-13).  The dedication of the great and newly built wall in Jerusalem is reason for celebrating God's power and presence.  Nehemiah ends this book of the Bible with a few last reforms.  Nehemiah wants God to remember him with favor for his faithfulness.

The celebration in today's reading gets my attention.  Who doesn't love a reason to celebrate?  Nehemiah says...  

They offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

Nehemiah 12:43

These people are happy the newly built wall is done in Jerusalem.  But, it's so much more than that too.  This isn't just about Nehemiah knowing how to throw a good party.

God's people are willing and able to see the wall as evidence of how God has worked through them.  Even in their celebrating, God's Spirit is filling them, "making" them rejoice.  God is the life of the party.  He's the source of their celebration!  

I don't know about you, but I want all my celebrations to be purposeful and joyful like that.  That doesn't come from talented party planning.  It comes from surrendering to God's Spirit that is able to rebuild all that is broken.  Celebrations like that come from making God the invite at the top our our guest list so He can open our hearts to His powerful and transforming love.

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that is at work in me and in those around me.

Life can be so hard, so overwhelming, so busy, so unexpected, so exhausting, so distracting, and so scary.  And yet, I know Your plan for me is always perfect.  I know Your joy, Lord, is my strength.  Transform my heart to be thankful in all circumstances instead of wasting time on my fears and frustrations.  

Fill me with Your joy and make me rejoice.  Help me let go and celebrate life with You.

Fill ____________ with your joy also, Lord.  Rebuild and transform his/her/their lives with Your grace.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Blessings,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.

Nehemiah 8-10

Ezra (the priest and scribe) and Nehemiah (the former cupbearer for the Persian king and current governor in Jerusalem) are working together for God in Nehemiah 8-10.  Both men are able to follow God's purpose for their lives and make a huge difference in the lives of others.  

In our reading today, all of God's people come together.  Ezra reads God's Word from the Book of Law, and they worship God.  Ezra reminds them of all the miraculous things God has done for His people in the past.  Most importantly, God's people are called to remember God's forgiving, gracious, compassionate, and loving nature and confess their sins to one another and to God.  God's Word transforms people.  

Every one of us can use some spiritual revival from time to time, don't you know!  This text today reminds me that the time is right now, for God's people then and for us.  God wants us to hold on to our relationship with Him for dear life.  

Our relationship with God is the key to real joy in the world.  

I've been there, where the Israelites are today, weeping.  And I struggle with focus issues day to day.  I write because I know how much I need Jesus, my Savior, in my life.  I am a poster child of God's grace at its best.  The more I turn to God, the more He transforms me.  

Nehemiah tells us not to mourn or weep as we become aware of how much we need God.  As we read, we see people confessing their sins and letting go of them.  

Nehemiah says,

“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.”

Nehemiah 8:10

Who doesn't need unconditional love and a whole lot of grace?  When we find joy in our Lord, that's where we find our biggest strength.  And once we find it, God encourages us and inspires us to celebrate by sharing it with others.

How can we celebrate our joy for the Lord today?

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for this day.  Thank You for the mercy and grace I have through Your Son, Jesus.  Thank You for Your forgiveness and abounding love.

Show me, Lord, all the ways I need to come before You and allow You to transform my life each and every day.  

I pray that by Your Spirit, You will open my heart and my eyes to those who are grieving and have "nothing prepared."  I pray for ________________________.  

Guide me in sharing Your grace and Your joy with those You purposefully put in my path this day.

In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit I pray,

Amen

Peace of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.