May 11–Nehemiah 5-8

“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep. . .for the joy of the Lord is your strength”(8:10).

Walls aren’t enough. Never are. Neither are armies or bank accounts. God is our true defense. We are safe in time and eternity only when we abide in Him and under the conditions of His offered protection. Important lesson for Israel! Important lesson for us!

After 2 exciting months of renewal and progress, an unexpected experience came to the people of Jerusalem. As they gathered to hear Ezra read the Law of Moses, conviction of sin flooded over the crowd. Particularly convicting was the section of Deuteronomy that summarized the agreement of God with the Jewish people and His law. Using Scripture, the Spirit of God opened their eyes to their disobedience. Their ingratitude. Their pride. It was a PAINFUL experience.

As grief spread over the crowd, Nehemiah was wise in his counsel. Sin, for all its seriousness, is never the first truth! It is not first in order or priority. Even when guilt is undeniable and unbearable, the way forward is not to obsess on it. The way out is the Savior!

Eyes up, dear one! Not what WE have done, but what HE has done is our focus. When faith is first, joy is the outcome. When our eyes are raised to the sufficient Savior, confidence comes, and strength with it! Again and again the church has proven this formula. In a Roman prison, Paul and Silas praised God! They lifted eyes off themselves (limited resources for sin or situation) and strength came!

Friend, do you believe that the Great One will forgive you? Has already? In surrender to His wisdom rather than your own, will you today focus on the sufficient and successful Christ? This is true repentance! Will you lift your eyes only to Him? Will you follow His path forward into offered joy?

“Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, Thou must save, and Thou alone” (Augustus Toplady).

“How blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven” (Psalm 32:1).

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

May 10–Nehemiah 1-4

“If your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it”(2:5).

Sometimes, God calls us to rebuild. Not to create something new, not to pioneer some previously unexplored path, but to restore something that once was strong and can be again.

Despite two waves of returning exiles over the previous 100 years, Jerusalem was still weak. The temple was functional, but there was no protection for it, or for the people living in the city. The walls were a wreck. Some damage was from recent attacks. Some still a reminder of the Babylonian invasion nearly 150 years earlier. Discouraging situation.

Hearing this news, a remarkable leader was moved to prayer. A trustworthy man with a high position in Persian government, Nehemiah was a true believer. He knew the promise of God given to Moses in Leviticus 26:40 ff. (Note this clue to Nehemiah’s character. He was a careful student of the first 5 books of the Bible. God promises great blessings to those who seek Him in Scripture!)

Encouraged by God’s promise, Nehemiah opened his heart to seek the Lord. He wept and mourned and fasted and prayed. “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work”, says Oswald Chambers, “Prayer IS the greater work.”

Having prayed, Nehemiah experienced the “good hand of God”(2:8). Providential coincidences. Indications of God’s help and approval. Soon, a new expedition was approved by the king and help was on its way.

Friend, is your heart moved by the present brokenness of your church, family, nation or inner life? God is capable and kind to help us. As Thomas Moore said, “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” Will you go to your knees with tears and Scripture-inspired confidence? It is possible that God is calling you to be a rebuilder?

“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell”(Isaiah 58:12).

May 9–Ezra 9-10

“But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place. . .and grant us a little reviving in our bondage”(9:8).

Ezra was the leader of a second wave of exiles returning to Israel. 70 years after the first exiles returned to rebuild, Ezra and his team of volunteers arrived from Babylon, only to face the most serious crisis thus far. The first wave of exiles had NOT been faithful to the Law of God. They had married women of the land, birthed children. Less racial prohibition than religious, God had forbidden such marriages as a hedge against the idolatry that inevitably comes from such unions.

An inclusive age resists this teaching. It proposes all men equal, all truths equally valuable. God says that the world is lost and that one of first tasks of a believer is to break from it. “Come out from their midst and be separate,” says God in 2 Corinthians 6:17. Even when we do not fully understand His wisdom on this subject, we are unwise to ignore His command.

Notice Ezra’s humility as he prays over this situation (9:5-10). Observe his grief, the seriousness he gives sin. God’s grace brought them, “safe thus far,” but Ezra has absolutely NO PRESUMPTION that God will continue to bless a disobedient people. God had given them, “a little reviving,” “a peg in a holy place” (a fixed but fragile connection), but Ezra knows that it is only a beginning.

Those who trust God must never become over-confident, must never lose fear of being disqualified or disciplined. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It also contributes to the continuation of the journey.

In 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel examples the right balance. After a decisive battle with the Philistines, he erected a stone monument. Eben (stone) ha-ezer (of help). “Thus far hath the Lord helped us,” he said in explanation. Perfect expression! Gratitude for God’s help AND vigilance for danger of sin and the challenges still ahead.

Friend, are you clear that you need the Lord today as much as you ever have?! Have you become over confident with a few steps of Spiritual progress, when MANY steps are still required? “Miles to go before I sleep,” says Robert Frost. The believer should embrace the same perspective and learn a daily dependence on God.

The battle is not over, nor can we presume from past victories that the Lord will be tolerant if we ignore His word. “ A peg in a holy place,” should only make us hungry for progress in our knowledge of Him.

May 8–Ezra 5-8

“When. . .Haggai the prophet and Zechariah. . .prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem. . .then Zerubbabel. . .arose and began to rebuild the house of God. . .and the prophets of God were with them supporting them”(5:1-2).

“And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo” (6:14).

The temple project was going nowhere. After a promising start, powerful enemies discouraged and delayed construction. No forward momentum. No enthusiasm.

One day, the prophet Haggai stood to speak. “You say you don’t have time or money to build the temple,” he shouted with laser-like moral clarity, “but you have had plenty of both to build your own houses! No wonder the Lord is withholding His blessings.” See today’s reading and Haggai 1.

What a sermon it was! Words with penetrating power. As Haggai spoke, the people felt the conviction of God.

They began again that day. They repented and believed. Picked up their tools. Adjusted their schedules. Experienced what the New Testament would later call, “the washing of the water of the Word.”

Beginning again is sometimes the most important decision of all. Easy for us to drift from God. In the power of the Spirit, prophets/preachers call us back. The greatest failure is not stumbling. Quitting is.

As I sat in church recently, my pastor spoke words from God that reignited a place in my heart that had gradually grown cold. God used him to help me make progress.

Friend, if you are a teacher or preacher, is it God’s word your people hear when you speak? Do you seek Him so that He can speak through you? If you are a member of a body, do you pray the filling of the Spirit for your pastor? Do you realize how much you NEED your pastor(s)? He plays an essential role in God’s plan for your welfare! When God’s word is preached, progress is possible!

“Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord’ “(Ezekiel 37:4).

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

May 7–Ezra 1-4

“Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel” (King Cyrus, Ezra 1:3).

“But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make” (Jeremiah 18:4).

It is a question often asked by a child. “May I start over?” Marks already on paper. Mistakes made. A desire to begin again.

God’s answer (to children and adults, alike) is “yes”. You may. You must. It is the very plan of God that you do!

When life is ruined, He comes and calls us to Himself. In grace, He remakes us. Gives us a second chance at His original purpose. See John 3.

In 458 B. C., the nation of Israel experienced this powerful kindness of God. After 70 years in exile in Babylon, a new king (a Persian) rose to power and gave them an opportunity to return home and rebuild. The surprise announcement was exactly what God promised through the prophet Jeremiah before the exile began. ” ‘ When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill my good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope’ ” (Jeremiah 29:10-11).

Scripture is the story of a loving and patient God who, despite human failings, is never defeated in His gracious purpose. Dry bones live again. Destroyed lives are remade. “Let Him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

As you read this story, will you hear God’s gracious offer to you? Will you also consider the role of repentance and faith? When permission to return came, every man had a decision to make. God stirred their hearts. They turned from old patterns to God with courageous faith. See 1:5.

Friend, the Lord is near. The kingdom of God is at hand. A good and patient God is reminding you of His infinite power to remake you and call you back into service in His eternal plan.

“Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

May 7–Ezra 1-4

“Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel” (King Cyrus, Ezra 1:3).

“But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make” (Jeremiah 18:4).

It is a question often asked by a child. “May I start over?” Marks already on paper. Mistakes made. A desire to begin again.

God’s answer (to children and adults, alike) is “yes”. You may. You must. It is the very plan of God that you do!

When life is ruined, He comes and calls us to Himself. In grace, He remakes us. Gives us a second chance at His original purpose. See John 3.

In 458 B. C., the nation of Israel experienced this powerful kindness of God. After 70 years in exile in Babylon, a new king (a Persian) rose to power and gave them an opportunity to return home and rebuild. The surprise announcement was exactly what God promised through the prophet Jeremiah before the exile began. ” ‘ When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill my good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope’ ” (Jeremiah 29:10-11).

Scripture is the story of a loving and patient God who, despite human failings, is never defeated in His gracious purpose. Dry bones live again! Destroyed lives are remade! “Let Him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

Will you hear God’s gracious offer to you? Will you also consider the role of repentance and faith? When permission to return came, every man had a decision to make. God stirred their hearts. They turned from old patterns to God with courageous faith. See 1:5.

Friend, the Lord is near! The kingdom of God is at hand. A good and patient God is reminding you of His infinite power to remake you and call you back into service in His eternal plan!

“Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

May 6–2 Chronicles 35-36

“There had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet”(35:18).

In the last years of the Kingdom of Judah, the discovery of “a book” was reported to the king. The book of the Law! Likely the first five books of our Bible, this long-forgotten text had been gathering dust somewhere in a temple archive. What a foolish mistake!

We live in a similar moment. Influenced by culture, in the name of being progressive, the Bible has been set aside by many. Even some “believers” openly deny large sections of God’s word. As a result, like Israel, we have drifted into darkness. “Professing to be wise, they became fools,” says Romans 1:22. Without God’s word, it will always be so.

Reading God’s book, King Josiah was stunned with conviction of sin. Compellingly, the written words declared God’s righteous demands on all people. With eyes opened and conscience tenderized, the king realized how guilty he and his nation were before a holy God.

He acted with great courage! Reinstated the Passover celebration. Instructed and energized the priests and Levites. With genuine enthusiasm, he turned the people back to Scriptural patterns of obedience.

Sadly, the renewal was short-lived and insufficient. After Josiah’s death, the nation quickly returned to former patterns. “The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers. . .but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy”(36:15-16).

As followers of Christ, our confidence in Scripture rises from the example of our Lord. Again and again, Jesus taught us to trust the written word of the Father. Sufficient! Authoritative!

In this dark age, we need this wisdom. The wisdom of Josiah and Jesus. Believer, are you spending time in God’s book? Do you do what it says? Do you teach others?

“Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not meditate on God’s word” (Charles Spurgeon).

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word!”(John Rippon).

May 5–2 Chronicles 32-34

“When he was in distress, he (Manasseh) entreated the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. When he prayed to Him, He (God) was moved by his entreaty. . .and brought him again to Jerusalem and his kingdom”(33:12-13).

Manasseh is a moral mystery. As king of Judah, he led the nation into a dark and downward slide. He rebuilt high places (idolatry). He listened to secular counselors. He made his own sons pass through the fire (child sacrifice). He practiced witchcraft and dealt with mediums. His father (Hezekiah) made mistakes, but Manasseh’s reign was a dumpster fire.

For all his flaws, Manasseh is, however, an example to us of God’s amazing grace. At the end of his life, when the inevitable collapse came, he turned back to God in humble prayer. He had seen his father do the same. When Manasseh prayed, God heard and received him! Like the thief on the cross, at the very end of life, he received mercy. See 33:13.

Years later, Jesus gave us the story of the prodigal son. Undeserved grace, this! When life disintegrates and pride is gone, when mistakes and self-will catch up with us, when we “come to ourselves” and can finally see how arrogant and ungrateful we have been, we are invited to come home. The Father, Himself, comes out to welcome us.

Amazing grace! Unimaginable love! Here is the story shared by every saved soul. A holy God is rich in mercy! If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. Manasseh is one example. I am another. Friend, do you rightly perceive the great mercy of God? Will you turn to him, today?

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us”(Hosea 6:1).

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”(Acts 3:19).

May 4–2 Chronicles 29-31

“In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he (Hezekiah) opened the doors of the house of the Lord. . .and said to them, ‘Listen to me, O Levites, consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lord. . .and carry the uncleanness out from the holy place”(29:3,5).

Who knows when God gave Hezekiah eyes to see the true need? His father had certainly not been been an example of godly wisdom. Suddenly (see 29:36 for the mood of this entire story), the king realized the invisible, spiritual realities impacting his nation. Their struggles and defeats had Spiritual causes and cures! It all finally made sense!

In chapter 29, we listen with great interest as he verbalizes his convictions to the gathered priests. What clarity! What leadership! “Our fathers have been unfaithful. The wrath of the Lord is on us. Do not be negligent. The Lord chose you to stand before Him. We must act together,” said the young and courageous king. O that leaders in this present hour would stand to speak with equivalent moral authority!

The days that followed were bright with energy and hope. Temple worship was restored. The Passover was reinstated. Altars to false gods were removed and destroyed. A great healing began!

It must always be. Revival comes when one (or many) see history through the lens of spiritual reality. Boldly they declare the judgments of God, and His available mercy. National conditions are understood as spiritual consequences. Believers are summoned to service and holy lives. Lost men are called to belief and obedience.

Friend, are you convinced that revival is possible and necessary? Do you affirm the huge potential of a single soul with eyes and courage like Hezekiah’s?

“We’ve a story to tell to the nations (our own nation) that will turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light. For the darkness will turn to the dawning, and the dawning to noon day bright, and God’s great kingdom will come on earth, the kingdom of love and light” (H. Ernest Nichol).

“Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?. . .I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them turn back from folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him” (Psalm 85:6,8).

May 3–2 Chronicles 25-28

“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king. . .He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart”(25:1-2).

If I call Jesus Lord, I must do so with my WHOLE heart. “Part of me” is a formula for failure. Christ gave ALL for me. He requires and deserves the same in return. “Jesus paid it ALL. ALL to Him I owe,” sings the old hymn.

Not an easy decision. At the moment of salvation a new man was created. A new me. Forgiven. Recipient of the Spirit. Even so, the “old man” continued his proud independence in me. Twisted and deformed, dishonest and stubborn this “wretched man” is still present, struggling for recognition and control.

I must never be naive about this ongoing inner conflict. I must not be tolerant or undecided. The old man is to be denied! Daily! I am to walk away from his counsel and wisdom.

The story of Amaziah makes me sad. At times, he leaned on God’s law and made wise choices. At others, he leaned on himself and the wisdom of others. See 25:14-16. A proud man. Superficially surrendered. In the end, he paid dearly for it.

Friend, today, will you give God your WHOLE heart? In daily denial of all other loves, will you choose Christ over self and this world? With honest courage will you confess the places still unsurrendered in your heart?

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1).

“For the flesh sets itself against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please”(Galatians 5:17).

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Jesus, Mark 12:30).