Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+009

 

CHAPTER 9 (ESV)

1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. 2 And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God. 4 On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God…

32 “Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. 34 Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them. 35 Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we are slaves this day; in the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts, behold, we are slaves. 37 And its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please, and we are in great distress.

38 “Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.

 

REFLECTION:

Under the leadership of Ezra, the Israelites recollected the work of God for them. Then they saw how God endured their hard heart, and they knew to count God’s grace. Therefore, they fasted and confessed their sins, and re-established their covenant with God with their signature. God’s love is patient. Reflect if the Scripture today that describes what the Israelites did says about your situation. Although God is full of pity and righteousness, you must not abuse His love and continuously hurt His heart. As God loves you patiently, reflect how you should learn from His example and love your brothers and sisters patiently.

 

PRAYER:

Come before God with a thankful and humble heart and thank Him for saving you. Open your heart to God and tell Him the sins you committed, and ask Him for forgiveness. Ask God to help you patiently love the brothers and sisters who are sinning but not to provoke God’s wrath by doing the same as them.

 

HYMN:

Beautiful Saviour – www.youtube.com/watch?v=saK6vStMQ8U

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+008

 

CHAPTER 8 (ESV)

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

 

REFLECTION:

After the Israelites heard the words of the Law, they could not help but cry because they knew that they had disobeyed God and not followed His statute and judgment. However, Nehemiah and Ezra told them that they should rejoice because it was a day of celebration, a day to receive God’s grace and share the joy. Real joy is not self-centred. If we could lend a helping hand to others (even unwillingly) when we are happy, our spiritual life will grow and our heart will be filled with heavenly peace and joy. Reflect if you are always joyful in the Lord. Do you often share your joy in the Lord with others? Do you have annoyance in your heart? Are you willing to cast all your worry to God and trust that He will give you peace and joy no matter what circumstances you are facing?

 

PRAYER:

Thank your Heavenly Father for He let you understand you will face a lot of worry on earth. Ask God to give you a peaceful heart and help you understand the peace He gives to you is not as the peace the world gives to you. Ask the Heavenly Father to help you not to forget to share with others the sweetness from God.

 

HYMN:

Still – www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3wwWFsSlNQ

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+007

 

CHAPTER 7 (ESV)

1 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” 4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.

5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:

6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.

 

REFLECTION:

The population of Jerusalem was still scarce 100 years after the first return led by Zerubbabel. In order to encourage the people, Nehemiah enrolled them by genealogy. The name list was extended from the one created by Ezra (Ezra 2) indicating a continuation of the past. This census carried special meaning when people almost lost everything and became hopeless. Nehemiah showed people the name list of those who followed Zerubbabel in the first return to Jerusalem in order for them to understand their identity. They were God’s people who were willing to sacrifice for God from the beginning to the present. Today, do you always remember you are God’s people? Do you understand the nobleness of your identity and the corresponding responsibilities?

 

PRAYER:

Come before God with a thankful heart and thank Him for adopting you as His child. Ask God to help you know deeply the nobleness and authority of being His child, and clearly understand the corresponding responsibilities. You belong to God! Ask God to bless you, protect you, discipline you, and walk with you everyday.

 

HYMN:

Who You Say I Am – www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+006

 

CHAPTER 6 (ESV)

10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

 

REFLECTION:

The enemies were full of tricks and deceits. They seemed to be considerate for us, but in reality what they did was a trap. The trick of Shemaiah was to tell Nehemiah that they would meet together in the temple because the enemies were coming to kill him. Nehemiah knew that he did not commit any crime and did not need to hide inside the temple. Nehemiah did not fall into the trap because he knew the Bible and understood that only the priest can enter the temple while it was against the Law of Moses for ordinary people to enter the temple at will. Otherwise, the enemies could taunt Nehemiah by giving him a bad name that he violated the Law of Moses because he was a coward. Knowing the Bible is an important weapon for demolishing the enemy’s tricks. Reflect to what level you know God’s Word. Are you willing to read the Bible, pray, and meditate on God’s Word more? If yes, your wisdom will increase daily.

 

PRAYER:

Christians face a lot of temptations as there are many hypocritical and deceitful people. Ask God to increase your wisdom so that you have the ability to discern. God’s Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path when you are confused. Ask God to give you humility and passion to know His Word through reading the Bible more often so that you will not deviate from the right path.

 

HYMN:

Thy Word – www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ycs23FQDRI

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+005

 

CHAPTER 5 (ESV)

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

 

REFLECTION:

1. The purpose of these words from Nehemiah is to contrast his honesty during his 12 years of being governor to the unfair behaviour of the former governor. Reflect how Nehemiah refused to accept remuneration for serving as governor. Today, when you are serving in the church, are you too conscious about your personal gains and losses, and not willing to be a volunteer?
2. As a leader, Nehemiah not only supervised the project but he also laboured with the people in repairing the wall. He was not an officer being protected and detached from the mass. On the other hand, he was a leader who led by example and did not exploit the people. A good leader needs to closely monitor the progress of a project and follow up with both words and deeds. Today, are you a leader or do you have the desire to be a leader in the church? Are you willing to learn from the example of Nehemiah to become a good leader in practice?

 

PRAYER:

Thank God for teaching you consistency of words and deeds through Nehemiah, so that you will not focus on personal gain or loss, but to serve God in any role in the church. Ask God to expand your heart and mind so that you will pay attention to social justice as a Christian. God does not only require us to have self-control in the church, but he also demands us to be salt and light in the world.

 

HYMN:

God of this City – www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rbA2k4JwM

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+004

 

CHAPTER 4 (ESV)

7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

 

REFLECTION:

A huge project can easily make people tired. Together with the discouragement from the pressure of the enemies, it seemed there was no end day for the completion of the project. Nehemiah reminded everybody to focus on God’s calling and the goal, reassuring them of God’s protection. Nehemiah always united his prayer, preparation and plan to encourage people to trust God and to guard the tasks God entrusted. Today we often pray but we did not pay effort to understand God’s will. The correct attitude is to prepare, to think and to pray. Today, if you encounter a lot of difficulties and get bored and frustrated by work, please remember God has a purpose for your life and your work. Learn from Nehemiah in seeking God’s will in prayer and doing God’s will diligently.

 

PRAYER:

Come before God in quietness and pray for the difficulties and challenges you faced today. Ask God to give you wisdom and courage to finish your work. Thank God for the Bible, which provides you a guideline in doing things. Ask God to speak to you through the Scripture and help you understand His will and guidance.

 

HYMN:

In Christ Alone – www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwyuPvNjhUM

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+003

 

CHAPTER 3 (ESV)

1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel…

5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord…

8 Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired. …

31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, opposite the Muster Gate, and to the upper chamber of the corner. 32 And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Nehemiah built the wall with division of labour. He first repaired the gate with help from different people: priests (v.5), goldsmiths, perfumers (v.8), rulers (v.9), merchants (v.32-32), and even their sons and daughters. Reflect when you serve God, are you like Nehemiah doing things according to priority, with planning and following the arrangement of church leaders?
2. All the people of Jerusalem devoted themselves to the huge project of rebuilding the city wall. Similarly, the work of the church also requires the cooperation of all the members in order for the body of Christ to operate efficiently (cf. 2 Cor. 12:12-27). Today, God’s house needs you, but have you done your part? Reflect how you will choose a suitable role in serving God, offering you time, talent and money.

 

PRAYER:

Ask God to give you wisdom to properly organize things so that you can do things step by step and not impulsively. Ask God to give you a humble heart so that you can be a good team player who follows instructions and arrangements, not for your own accomplishment but for the glory of God.

 

HYMN:

Heart of Worship – www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Zp586pvZg

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+002

 

CHAPTER 2 (ESV)

4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” 6 And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me…

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. After Nehemiah prayed, he asked the king for permission for him to return to Judah. The king approved and Nehemiah continued to ask the king to provide more support. When you need help, do you often become afraid to contact the right person and hesitate if you should raise a request? Nehemiah directly approached the person who could help him most. Do not hesitate, contact the person who can help you most! They may be more approachable than you think. Maybe God listens to your prayer through the help of that person.
2. Sanballat and Tobiah accused the rebuilding of the wall was an act of rebellion against the king (v.19). They also despised Nehemiah saying that the damage to the wall was so severe that it could not be rebuilt. Nehemiah did not tell them he already got the king’s permission to rebuild the wall. He only said that this is God’s will and in fact this was sufficient. Today will you serve God passionately, or will you remain stagnant for fear of others’ rumors, mocking and attack?

 

PRAYER:

Come before God with a quiet and firm heart. Ask God for the courage to face rumors and mocking. Ask God to be with you and strengthen your will so that you will be strong and courageous. Pray that God will establish the good work of your hands.

 

HYMN:

Living Hope – www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f2FXxDVO6w

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Nehemiah+001

 

Nehemiah

In the fifth century BC, many Judeans were returning from exile to the southern part of the land of Israel. They faced great difficulties: their capital city and temple had been destroyed, foreigners had moved in, and they were no longer ruled by their own king. But the books of Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah insist that God’s people can still fulfill his purpose. They must form a unique society centered on the worship of God in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. (These books are really one long book, telling a continuous story; one can see, for example, how the end of 2 Chronicles overlaps with the beginning of Ezra.)

The book presents a sweeping chronicle of Israel’s history, beginning with a long genealogy or ancestor list. Going all the way back to Adam, it situates the people of Israel among the nations and reminds them of their calling. Special attention is given to Judah, ancestor of the royal line of David, and to Levi, ancestor of the priests and temple attendants.

The second main part describes the kings who ruled in Jerusalem down to the time of the exile. David receives more attention than others, but many details of his life told elsewhere are left out. The focus is on his military campaigns and his elaborate plans for the temple in Jerusalem. The reason is clear when we see that David was not permitted to build the temple because he was a warrior. God wanted a man of peace to build the place where all nations would come to pray. The honor therefore fell to David’s son Solomon. More space is devoted to him than to any king besides David, describing his construction of the temple and the splendors of his reign.

The final part of the book relates the experiences of the returned exiles. The memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, leaders of the second generation of returned Judeans, are incorporated into the history. These leaders helped create a distinct community by forbidding intermarriage with the surrounding peoples, and they directed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Included here is a description of a great covenant renewal ceremony led by Ezra and Nehemiah.

An important theme of the entire history—which can appropriately be called a temple history—is that pure worship is offered on God’s terms, not ours. God has chosen Israel to welcome the nations into true worship. Through all the ups and downs of history he is working to bring this purpose to fulfillment.

 

www.bible.com/zh-TW/bible/111/1CH.INTRO1.NIV

 

CHAPTER 1 (ESV)

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.

 

REFLECTION:

1. The wall of Jerusalem was broken down. The broken city wall exposed God’s chosen people inside to external invasion. Reflect that as God’s people, do you face similar challenges? Your life is God’s temple, carefully look at the brokenness of your inner life and the trend of the world. How will you face the various challenges?
2. When encountering huge challenges, Nehemiah did not act immediately but rather sat down and wept and mourned for days, and he continued fasting and praying. This showed his sadness for the sins of the people and his desire for the Israelites to be re-strengthened by worshipping the only true God. Nehemiah’s prayer was full of power because his prayer consisted of praises, thanksgiving, repentance, dedication and specific supplication. After we pray sincerely, we will know what are the difficulties and that God will help us and guide us to the right path with His mighty power. After Nehemiah prayed, he knew how to begin. When facing the challenges today, are you willing to pray sincerely as Nehemiah did?

 

PRAYER:

Thank God for helping you to examine your life and living through the Book of Nehemiah. Ask the Heavenly Father to let you clearly see your deficiency and brokenness. If you obey and rely on God, His mighty arm will help you rebuild the city wall of your life to resist the various temptation and challenge from the world. Open your heart to God and face your weakness. Ask God to heal you, rebuild your city wall, and make you a vessel pleasing to the Lord.

 

HYMN:

Broken Vessels – www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiyYoe678yI

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Ezra+010

 

CHAPTER 10 (ESV)

1 While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. 2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. 4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” 5 Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath.

6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. 7 And a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 8 and that if anyone did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation of the exiles.

 

REFLECTION:

1. The Israelites were commanded to put away their Gentile wives and their children. Although this regulation was harsh, it had to be enforced because interracial marriage was strictly forbidden. At that time, even the priests and the Levites committed this sin. Through the sincere prayer of Ezra, the Israelites confessed their sin and prayed for God’s guidance on how to restore the relationship with God. True repentance is not just lip service, it has to include correction of behaviour and change of attitude. This may require us to pay a great price. Reflect if you still have sins that have not been confessed or repented. If yes, you have to frankly admit and genuinely repent before God. You also need to have actions that reflect your repentance even if they are costly. Only then can you pray for God’s forgiveness and receive His mercy and grace.
2. The Book of Ezra recorded the history of the Israelites’ return after their exile. Not only has it described the rebuilding of the temple but also the restoration of their relationship with God. The road of restoration was not an easy one for it had tears, falls and dangers. However, through the journey they came to know God more and experience God’s love, righteousness and faithfulness. Today are you also on the heavenly journey of “return” and “rebuild”? What enlightenment do you get from this book that makes your life journey a pilgrimage path that leads you closer to God’s mercy seat step by step.

 

PRAYER:

Repent to God for a sin that you have not confessed. Ask God to give you the courage to repent and correct even though you may have to pay a high cost. Ask God to guide you so that you will not depart from His truth and teaching, and will walk on a path according to His will.

 

HYMN:

“Lead Me To the Cross” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=StW6ZKHRCFo