The Daily Word: Wednesday, August 11th, 2021
Nehemiah 1:1-3:14
1 Corinthians 7:1-24
Psalm 31:19-24
Proverbs 21:4
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’” – Neh. 1:8-9
Nehemiah got bad news about his brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. The survivors who were left after Babylon had overrun the city were “in great distress and reproach” (v 3). The wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the city was destroyed!
But Nehemiah had the most powerful construction material at his disposal. And he didn’t even need to be in Jerusalem in person to use it! Nehemiah had the word of God.
Nehemiah immediately started fasting and praying (v 4). But his prayer was very specific. First, he repented. He apologized to God for Israel’s sin, and admitted they didn’t deserve His mercy. But then, he brought God’s word back to Him. “Remember, I pray, the word You commanded” (v 8). Nehemiah reminded God of His promise! God had promised that even if Israel was scattered across the globe, He would gather them back to Jerusalem if they returned to Him. So Nehemiah reminded God of His word. God didn’t forget! But Nehemiah was showing God that he hadn’t forgotten either. He knew what was promised! And he was holding God at His word.
What has God promised you? When things aren’t going your way, do what Nehemiah did. Pray and fast! But don’t just whine and complain to God. Bring His word back to Him. Remind God of His promises! What has He spoken over your life? What Scripture verses has He given you to stand on as you wait to see His promises fulfilled? God has not forgotten; and as you show Him that you have not forgotten either, everything He promised will come to pass.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness! Remember, I pray, Your promise that Your word will not return to You void, but it shall accomplish what You please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which You sent it (Isa. 55:11)! As I bring Your word back to You, I expect my life to flourish and grow in accordance with Your word, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.