Read Nehemiah 9
Highlights:
Fasting and confession of sins; public reading of the Law; confession of God's goodness; people's covenant to keep the Law.
Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be Thy glorious Name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise (Neh. 9:5).
Following the greatest Feast of the Tabernacles since the days of Joshua, there was a spontaneous separation from the heathen. All the Israelites made open confession of their sins. This happened as a result of hearing the Law read. The Word of God is life changing because it is the inspired Word of God. What could change the heart of man better than his Creator speaking to him directly through His Word. It is this Word, God's Word, that draws mankind back to Him. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:19).
The Levites responded by saying: Stand up and bless the Lord your God. It was an expression of gratitude and praise to Jehovah for His love and mercy.
Reading and believing the Scriptures brings about a recognition of sin, confession, obedience to God's Word, and the joy of the Lord.
Something miraculous takes place when we praise the Lord for who He is and we thank Him for what He has done. Truly praising the Lord brings victory to one's life. Not only is God worthy of all worship and praise but He desires it from His people. We are called to worship and praise God: Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord (Ps. 150:6). We should view it as a great privilege to be able to stand before Him and offer praise to the One True Living God. He gladly receives our love, worship, and praise. And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, Master, rebuke Thy disciples. And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out (Luke 19:37-40).
There is a multitude in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God (Rev. 19:1). Let us be faithful to praise Him, also!
Thought for Today:
Count your blessings, and then you can praise the Lord for who He is and for His love and mercy to us.
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator of heaven and earth (Neh. 9:6). All things were created by Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16).
Word Studies:
9:18 wrought great provocations, committed great blasphemy; 9:22 didst divide them into corners, allotted and set boundaries; 9:25 fat, rich; 9:29 withdrew the shoulder, turned away rebelliously; hardened their neck, were stubborn, obstinate; 10:1 Tirshatha, governor; 10:28 Nethinims, Temple attendants or servants; 10:31 leave, forego the 7th year's crop.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Don Edwin Young (AK) • Country: Guinea-Bissau (1 million) on the western coast of Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Criolo • Religious freedom • 51% animist; 42% Muslim; 6% Roman Catholic; .7% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourself, pray, and seek the will of God as you read His Word (II Chr. 7:14).
Optional Reading: 2 Corinthians 11
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 1:1-2
