How prone are we to self-deception? Are we really able to be honest with ourselves as we talk with God? Do we remember daily the true source of our righteousness? Here is a devotional by Elaine Stedman, inspired by one of Ray Stedman’s sermons: Remember me with favor, O my God (Nehemiah 13:31b). Some people … More Remember me with favor, O my God
August 19 Nehemiah 13 (ESV) Nehemiah’s Final Reforms 13:1 On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, 2 for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, … More August 19 Nehemiah 13
And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. —Nehemiah 12:43 C.H. Spurgeon comments: “For the Lord had made them glad with great joy.” God alone can give us this great joy. … More Joy and the power of the Word
August 18 Nehemiah 12 (ESV) Priests and Levites 12:1 These are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, 5 Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests … More August 18 Nehemiah 12
August 17 Nehemiah 11 ESV) The Leaders in Jerusalem 11:1 Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten [1] remained in the other towns. 2 And the people blessed all the … More August 17 Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 10:28 speaks of “the rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand.” Pastor P. G. Matthew, of Grace Valley Community Church, … More Confession: personal, public, practical and particular
August 16 Nehemiah 10 (ESV) The People Who Sealed the Covenant 10:1 [1] “On the seals are the names of [2] Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah, 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these are the priests. 9 And the Levites: … More August 16 Nehemiah 10
Steven Cole on Nehemiah 9: God’s abundant mercy is the dominant theme of this prayer. It begins by exalting God and His glorious name (9:5) and then it starts where the Bible does, with God as the almighty Creator of everything, who gives life to every living creature. All the angels bow before Him (9:6). … More God’s grace is greater!
August 15 Nehemiah 9 (ESV) The People of Israel Confess Their Sin 9:1 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 … More August 15 Nehemiah 9
Phillip Graham Ryken writes in Thermelios: Ezra also had a mind for biblical truth. Perhaps the best example comes from Nehemiah 8, where Ezra gathers the Israelites to renew the covenant in Jerusalem. The heart of that renewal was the reading and preaching of God’s Word. Ezra gathered people in the square in front of the … More The heart of renewal: the reading and preaching of God’s Word
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 