Nehemiah 1:1-3:14 ~ 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 ~ Psalm 31:19-24 ~ Proverbs 21:4
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Old Testament - Today we begin the book of Nehemiah!
Author: Nehemiah
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: The book of Nehemiah continues the story begun by Ezra and deals with life in the restored community. The major point of Ezra is the rededication of the Temple. The major point of Nehemiah is the rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem. The book begins by explaining the need Jerusalem had for protection that walls would give. This is followed by a discussion of how the walls were build in spite of numerous problems both in the community and outside of it. A national day of repentance was called for and the project was completed.
Theme: The main theme of this book is the sad fact that people are slow to learn the lessons God wants to teach them. The Israelites had been carried into captivity because of their sin, but now the very same problems rose again. The people were neglecting worship, prayer, and Bible study, not to mention the fact that they were treating each other unjustly. But God in his patience continued to send his messengers to them to offer salvation and pardon. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 8-9) More commentary on the book of Nehemiah is at this link: http://bible.org/article/introduction-books-ezra-nehemiah
Below is an image from today's readings from Nehemiah chapter 1 verses 3 & 4 - ""Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been burned." When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven."
Today in Nehemiah chapter 2 verse 17 we read “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I am fascinated by the rebuilding of the Temple that we read about in Ezra and now the rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah. The thought of rebuilding is something that I think each of us needs to meditate upon at times. I believe that over time in our lives we unfortunately can tear things down. Things that need rebuilding. Perhaps we have torn down our faith in some way. Perhaps our love for God. Perhaps our connection to a church community. Perhaps our relationship with a family member. Perhaps our service to the poor. Is there an area of your life that is in need of rebuilding? Will you meditate upon your life and begin to rebuild in that area? Will you pray to God for strength in rebuilding in that area and will you allow his Spirit to lead you? I pray you will be encouraged by our readings this week in Nehemiah as you read about the Israelites rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. And I pray you will begin rebuilding the things in your life that have perhaps tumbled down over time!
New Testament - Today we read 1 Corinthians Chapter 7. This has been a very powerful chapter of the Bible for much of my spiritual journey. For a period of about 7 years I felt the call to "singleness" through this chapter through much prayer and reflection. I think the call to singleness for some of us may be just for a season, or it could be for many seasons. At the same time, just as valuable is the call to marriage and family life for many of us in this chapter as well. These are some powerful verses. Some say it is best just to consider these verses in "context" of the Corinthian church two thousand years ago. However, I do believe there is value in this chapter's verses for our lives as well. How does First Corinthians chapter 7 speak to you and your life today?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians titled "Sex and the Spiritual Christian" is at this link, "The Relationship Between Spirituality and Sexuality" is at this link, and "Spirituality and the Status Quo" is at this link.
Psalms - This is a wonderful look at God's goodness in Psalm 31 verse 19: "Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world." Do you believe that God's goodness is indeed great? Are you honoring God with your life and your actions and your thoughts each day? Do you believe that God is storing up blessings for you? Do you believe that God will bless you if you go to him for protection?
Proverbs - Proverbs 21 verse 4 couldn't be much more straightforward! "Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin." I actually needed a little help for what the word haughty really means. Here's what I found in the dictionary for haughty - disdainful: having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy; "some economists are disdainful of their colleagues in other social disciplines"; "haughty aristocrats"; "his lordly manners were offensive"; "walked with a prideful swagger"; "very sniffy about breaches of etiquette"; "his mother eyed my clothes with a supercilious air"; "shaggy supercilious camels"; "a more swaggering mood than usual"- W.L.Shirer Have you ever been haughty? Can you see how being haughty is a sin? I did a google image search on the word haughty, and this is one of the images it served up, which I thought was a bit amusing.... :) (I think this little guy is far more cute than haughty!)
YouTube: First Corinthians Chapter 7 seems an appropriate point to share with you this phenomenal song by Rebecca St. James that she wrote for her future husband called "Wait for Me":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooAi3KJ5I-s
Are you waiting on God's timing in your life? Click here and wait for Him no longer!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray for God's perfect will to be done in your life in regards to being married or being single. Pray a prayer of praise and contentment for whichever calling is upon your life. Pray that you don't live a life burning with sexual passion. Pray you live a life of passion for God's glory.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
Nehemiah 1-3:14
Nehemiah shows us that we must always be on guard because the enemies of God, thus our enemies, doggedly follow our footsteps when we are on assignment from God. Since we are always to be busy accomplishing our purpose, the enemy never ever gives up.
So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. (Rom 7:21 NET.)
Building up defenses to keep out the enemy takes team work, The example of cooperation is clearly seen in the way each family takes responsibility and works on the wall that is front of their place of residence.
I Corinthians 7:1-24
Ridiculed, laughed at, called a freak or crazy, those are a few of the things done to and names people call you when they find out you are celibate. And that comes from the ranks of “so called” Believers in the church. I have been celibate since 1985 and have experienced it all. When asked why I’m not having sex I reply, “Because I’m not married.” And I’m not going to run around looking for a mate so that I can legally have sex. The pressure one finds in the church to marry is unrelenting. But I have found that the people usually pushing marriage are the ones whose marriages are shipped wreck and they are living in chaos and confusion at home. The people whose marriages are founded on mutual respect and submission are not the ones pushing the single folks to marry. I wonder why? (Rhetorical Question). Could it be that those with stable marriages understand the work necessary for a godly marriage and know that no one should enter it before their time.
Living in singleness has taught me a lot about myself. I’m not quick to turn to friends when problems arise in my life, I tend to have interesting conversations with God when troubles come. Living in singleness allows me to focus on reading and studying the Word of God. I don’t have to check my schedule with anyone else but God.
Someone once told me, “Until you learn how to submit completely to God, you will never learn how to submit to a husband or wife.” Mike, I believe singleness, without sex, truly trains us to be a godly spouse. Well I guess I can say that because I’m single, as the married folks bristle. Singleness has taught me how to alone without being lonely. Singleness has also taught me that my value is not based on the number of places I can get myself invited to or asked out but my value is found in God who created me.
And you know what. If you have a self-control problem in the area of sex when you are single, you will still have it when you are married. The problem is NOT THE NEED for a legal sexual outlet, the problem is in the driving force propelling one to fulfill a God given need unlawfully. Rapist and predators, male and female, are not out for sexual gratification, though society likes to label it as such, they are out for power and control. It’s been a problem ever sense that garden thing with Adam and Eve.
Psalm31:19-24
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men! In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues. (Psa 31:19-20 AMP)
These two verses certainly are confirmed in our reading of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. If only I could and would take no thought of the words and slander whispered by others, then my life would be free of unnecessary stress. The enemies of God and Judah tried unsuccessfully to stop the rebuilding of the Temple and the protective wall around Jerusalem. Our enemies may delay the work, and delay is not permanent and it does not mean the work has stopped for they can never stop God from carrying out His will.
The work and will of God cannot even be stopped by those God calls His own and who become mired in their own sin. God always has a remnant (I Kings 19:18) even when we don’t see them and think we are the only one loyal to God.
Proverbs 21:4
The Jewish Publication Society and the New English Bible (JPS & NET) translate this passage much clearer, I believe.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. (NET.)
A haughty look, and a proud heart - the tillage of the wicked is sin. (JPS)
These two translations give me a deeper understanding of this verse. The fruit of wickedness are haughty eyes, pride and evil actions, which are all sin. The translations point to the core or seed of the fruit so we are not just content to mow the weeds and forget to remove the root.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
P.S. Love the monkey
Posted by: Ramona | August 10, 2012 at 10:53 PM