NT: “Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them, since they were struck down in the wilderness… These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:1-5, 11-13‬ ‭CSB)

There is more to a life in Christ that just being saved. Salvation may be a “fire insurance” of sorts, but it is not a guarantee of a life or an eternity of abundant blessing and promise. Apparently, the Corinthian church was in danger of relying too heavily on their initial salvation and becoming disqualified from God’s rewards by giving into temptations. As a warning, Paul reminded the church of the children of Israel. All of the children of Israel were saved from bondage to Egypt by Moses, just as all of the Corinthian church had been saved from sin by Christ. All of the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea with Moses, just as all of the Corinthian church had passed through the waters of baptism with Christ. All of the children of Israel were fed manna and drank the water that flowed from the rock, just as all of the Corinthian church had fed on the word of God and had been filled with the Holy Spirit. However, out of all the people that were saved from Egypt, only two, Joshua and Caleb, were able to fully experience the full promise of God. The rest were disqualified because they gave into temptations along the way and perished in the wilderness.

Salvation is the glorious beginning to a life in Christ, but it doesn’t guarantee a glorious end (2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7). Along the way there will be temptations, which God has allowed, to test our faithfulness and strengthen our faith. The same temptations that led the children of Israel astray… the same temptations that led countless numbers of believers astray over the years will confront us. Unlike the children of Israel, we have been made righteous in Christ and have the Holy Spirit in us to convict us, warn us and lead us. Thankfully, we have the assurance that God will not allow a temptation that is beyond our ability in Christ by the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit to resist. But that is the key: in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Oftentimes, we place too much trust in our ability to endure temptation – but eventually a temptation will come our way that is too great for us to endure with our own will power. Our ability to escape temptations will come as we submit our will to the Lord, humble ourselves before Him and obey the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit. If we are submitted to the Spirit, the Spirit will prevent us from entering tempting situations or will lead us out of tempting situations. As one commentator said, “The believer who thinks he can stand may fall; but the believer who flees will be able to stand.” Don’t let the belief of “once saved, always saved” prevent you from experiencing the fullness of all God has for you – in this present life and the life to come.

Psalms: “Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is someone who desires life, loving a long life to enjoy what is good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:11-14‬ ‭CSB)

David’s advice to those who desire a life full of God’s covering and blessing: turn away (remove yourself) from evil and do what is good. Seek peace (peace with God and peace with man) and pursue that instead of pursuing the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The way that we successfully do that in Christ is to not think too highly of ourselves, submit to the Lord, and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, I know that temptations are inevitable in this life. Even You faced temptations – and because you were victorious over the temptations You faced, I can be victorious over temptations in You. I thank You that with every temptation, you will provide a way of escape as long as I remain submitted to You and follow the leading and conviction of Your Holy Spirit in me. So I endeavor to not rely on my own ability to say “no,” and depend fully on You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

NT: “Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people… I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings. Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:19, 22b-27‬ ‭CSB)

Once Paul came to faith in Christ, he had one overarching goal: to serve the Lord and glorify God by preaching the gospel, winning souls and discipling those believers to maturity in Christ. That was the race Paul was running in. The prize that Paul was after was an imperishable crown of glory given to him by the King of kings for a job well done. In order to effectively present the gospel to everyone he encountered, Paul took every effort to be relatable to everyone. He didn’t change the message of the gospel, but he changed how he approached the gospel, depending on the audience. To a Jewish audience, he would approach the gospel from a Jewish perspective and made sure he didn’t do something that was offensive to Jewish sensibilities. To a gentile audience, he would approach the gospel from a gentile perspective and made sure he didn’t require anything from the gentiles that wasn’t necessary. Being all things to all people didn’t mean that he compromised on the gospel message or compromised on righteousness to relate – but he did tweak his approach.

In order to remain above reproach in every setting, Paul limited himself in what he allowed in His life. Often times, an athlete’s lifestyle looks very different during training season than during off season. During training season, athletes are very careful with what they eat, with how much they sleep, with the amount of extra-curricular activities they partake in, etc. During training, athletes are very disciplined – and their singular focus it to perform at the best they are able in order to win the prize. It is an athlete’s love for their sport, commitment to excellence, and devotion to win that drives their discipline. Paul said that he had the same attitude about his life in Christ. He desired to perform at the highest level possible in order to win the most souls for Christ and have the maximum impact on those he taught. In order to do that, He disciplined himself and didn’t allow himself to live like he was in the off-season. For Paul, there was no off season – so daily, he practiced the self-control that is a fruit of the Spirit and disciplined himself unto the devotion he had to serve and glorify God. Paul’s discipline was not born out of legalism or asceticism, but out of love and devotion to the Lord who had saved him and given him new life. His life was not his own. The same should be true of us who name Jesus Christ as our Lord. Are we living our lives like we are in off-season, or are we disciplined in our devotion to the Lord and His purposes?

Psalms: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him! You who are his holy ones, fear the Lord, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:4-9‬ ‭CSB)

David was a man who was devoted to the Lord. As part of his devotion, he disciplined himself in seeking the Lord daily in prayer, in reciting the word of God, in praising God for Who He was and thanking Him for all He had done, and in meditating on God’s truths. Even when David was on the run from his enemies, he did not forsake spending time before the Lord. In all his years of faithfully seeking the Lord, he came to find out that God is faithful to those who fear Him, who honor Him, and who humbly seek Him. So, David said to all who would hear him, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!” For those who discipline themselves to seek the Lord daily and structure their day to allow time with God in the secret place, there are no regrets… only blessing. Even Jesus disciplined Himself to wake up early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. How much more should we do the same. If you don’t have that discipline in your life, it is time to start a holy and healthy habit. Taste and see that the Lord is good. If you discipline yourself to devotion, you will find there are no regrets – only blessing.

Prayer: Lord, just as it was with Paul, my desire is to be at the top of my game at every moment of the day, regardless the situation you lead me to. Even more than that being my desire, I know it is Your desire for me as well. In order to do that, I must depend on the fruit of the Spirit, which is self-control, and make the effort to bring disciplines in my life that will enable my devotion. Grace me to walk a disciplined life before You as I surrender my life to You in worship. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

NT: “If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right; instead, we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ… For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach — and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:12, 15-18‬ ‭CSB)

One thing that Americans – especially “conservative evangelical” Americans – are proud of are the “God-given” inalienable rights that are described in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the U.S. Constitution. So valued and defended are rights in America, that at times, it seems like the U.S. Constitution is more revered than the word of God – even among professing believers.

The Apostle Paul also spoke of having rights – rights that were provided and directed by the Law of God. The Law provided that a person should be able to earn a living by the work the did – that no one should be forced to work for free. That meant that the professional clergy (Priests and Rabbis at that time) were able to live off the taxes and donations given to the temple and synagogues. For Paul, there was one right that superseded any right that he was afforded as a minister. That right was the right that everyone has to hear the message of the gospel. He was not willing to let his personal rights get in the way of others’ right to hear and respond to the gospel of the Kingdom of God. He, as are all followers of Christ, was entrusted with a commission from his Lord and King. His commission was to preach the gospel. His conviction was to do so freely without any expectation of remuneration. He didn’t want anything to stand as a barrier to someone hearing and responding to the gospel, even if that meant denying his own rights.

Do we as American disciples of Christ have the same attitude? Are we willing to set aside our “God-given” rights for the sake of honoring other’s right to hear the gospel unobstructed? Or are we more apt to demand our rights, even if our demands distract from the gospel? Do we feel compelled to defend our rights over the rights of others, or do we instead obey our commission at all costs, and trust God with our freedoms and privileges?

Psalms: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:1-3‬ ‭CSB)

This psalm was written by David when he was forced to flee Israel and take up refuge with the Philistines… and then pretend to be insane when his cover was blown. At one time, David enjoyed all the rights and privileges of being one of the King’s most highly revered men. He ate at the Kings table, was best friends with the Kings first-born son, and even married one of the King’s daughters. However, because of the anointing that was on him, the King became jealous of David and sought to kill him. David had to give up all of those worldly pleasures and rights and live as a fugitive in order to fulfill the promise of God that was on his life. Yet in the midst of all the stress and turmoil he was under, He said, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I won’t boast of what I earned… what I once had. I will boast in the Lord, and the truly humble will understand that and be glad.” Are we among the truly humble? Are we willing to forsake all for the higher purposes of God on our lives? Are we willing to lay aside our rights and privileges as Americans to boast in and glorify the Lord instead? Let us humble ourselves and exalt His name together.

Prayer: Lord, I am thankful for the rights and privileges I have as an American citizen. However, I don’t want those rights and privileges to ever get in the way of someone hearing and responding to the message of the Gospel. I humble myself and lay down my rights for the sake of Your gospel being demonstrated through me, and Your name being glorified in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

OT: “When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law… Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read. Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law… And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve.” Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.” (‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭7:73b-‭8:3, 7-9, 11-12‬ ‭CSB)

After the wall around Jerusalem had been fully rebuilt and the workers had returned to their homes and settled in their towns, a solemn assembly was called and all the people returned to Jerusalem and gathered together. Ezra the scribe was asked to stand before all the people and read from the Law of God. As he read, he was surrounded by Levites who would both interpret and explain the law to the people. For six hours, Ezra read, the Levites explained, and the people listened attentively. Nehemiah didn’t explain why the solemn assembly was called, nor why he had Ezra read and teach the law – but I imagine it had to do with some of the challenges Nehemiah faced with the Jewish people as he worked on the wall. There were several times he had to bring correction because the leaders of the people were acting in ways that were contrary to the law. The people were obviously familiar with the law, but they didn’t know it. I wonder if Nehemiah assumed nothing and wanted to make sure everyone understood the law. As the people heard the law explained to them in a way they could understand, they became convicted, were cut to the heart, and began weeping in remorse. Through Nehemiah’s leadership, the people were led from grief to joy as they gave thanks that God’s law had been explained to them, and they could now live it out faithfully. These were signs of genuine revival as the people of God were awakened out of their ignorance and indifference by the life-giving power of the word of God.

I see the church of our day in a similar state. Most “Christians” are familiar with the word of God, but they don’t know what it says, much less understand it. Most have lived their whole lives on scraps from the Word… short bumper sticker sayings taken out of context… hazy memories of Sunday school Bible stories, and the like. Because of this, the church is awash with Biblically illiterate people who don’t know the Word of God, nor the God of the Word… so they form God and Jesus in their own image, and determine in their heart what is right and wrong with no absolute Biblical truth to guide their way. Much of the issues we see in the Church today are because of a lack of Biblical understanding and discipleship. What would happen if we the church did today what Nehemiah and Ezra did in their day. What would happen if we made a concerted effort to read, teach and explain the Bible so that all who were in our churches could understand the Word, understand God, and fully understand the glorious message of the gospel? I dare say that people would be cut to the heart as they grew to understand how far they had moved from God’s truth and purposes. I dare say that people would be convicted and moved to confess and repent, and turn back fully to God. I dare say that our churches would be full of people fully living out all that The Lord has done for us and fully living out His great commission. I dare say that we would see and experience genuine revival.

Psalms: “We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name. May your faithful love rest on us, Lord, for we put our hope in you.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:20-22‬ ‭CSB)

The word ‘wait’ here is more like the word ‘await’. It is waiting with expectation – not a passive waiting, but an active waiting… on the balls of your feet… ready to move when the time comes. Biblical waiting is framed in trust and faith. Many times, people view waiting on the Lord as doing nothing, thinking that God (or someone else) is going to do everything. Biblical waiting means not getting ahead of God, but being ready to do whatever He calls us to do, when He calls us to do it – much like a server at a restaurant waiting on a customer. We wait for the Lord (and don’t get ahead of Him) because He is our help and shield… but the expectation is that He is going to have us do something that requires His help and protection. As we trust God, our heart will rejoice in Him. As we hope in God, His faithful love and mercy will rest on us. But we miss what revival truly is, if we are just waiting around doing nothing, thinking that revival is just something God magically and mysteriously does. Revival is born out of God’s people waiting on Him in the full Biblical sense of that word: Not trying to manufacture something… not getting ahead of God’s timing, but fully ready to do whatever He asks us to do when the time comes… and remaining prepared and attentive in the waiting. How do we actively wait? By growing in our knowledge of the Lord through studying the word, by cultivating an intimate relationship with the Lord through daily and consistent time with Him in the secret place, by maintaining our relationship with Him through confession and repentance, and by obeying the things He has already instructed us to do (like evangelism and discipleship). The more we do that, the more ready we will be to step actively into the move of God and experience revival as we participate in revival.

Prayer: Lord, in Your word, you instruct me to wait on You – but the waiting You call me to do is not a passive waiting. There are things You have instructed me to do as I expectantly await Your move. So I endeavor, by Your grace, to “keep my wicks trimmed,” obey Your instructions, keep my eyes on You, and remain ready to serve when You call me to step into what You are bringing. In Jesus‘ name I pray, Amen.

NT: “…We know that “an idol is nothing in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth — as there are many “gods” and many “lords” — yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭8:4b-6‬ ‭CSB)

In the midst of a lesson on being loving and conscientious with Christian liberties, Paul made this strong statement of faith. His point was that though this statement is true, we need to be conscientious and loving in the way we express the liberties we have in Christ, and not allow our liberties to cause others to have a crisis of conscience. But nevertheless, the statement He made is undoubtedly true. Idols have no real existence in the cosmos. They may be physically real, but they have no actual existence beyond the physical matter they take up. Though there are many in the physical and spiritual world that claim the title of god or lord, there is only One God and One Lord. All good things come from the Father of Lights. Were it not for Him, nothing would exist – therefore we, as His people, exist for Him and His purposes. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and it was through the Word of God that all things were created. As redeemed people of God, it is through the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that we now have life. In light of Who God the Father and God the Son are – and who we are as we see ourselves in that light – the only reasonable response to that truth is to, in all things, worship God humbly, trust Him completely, and depend on Him fully.

Psalms: “The Lord looks down from heaven; he observes everyone. He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from his dwelling place. He forms the hearts of them all; he considers all their works. A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be rescued by great strength. The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. But look, the Lord keeps his eye on those who fear him — those who depend on his faithful love to rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:13-19‬ ‭CSB)

God sees all, knows all, and has formed us all. There is nothing on earth that escapes His gaze. There is no gift, talent, strength, or resource that He did not first create and make available to us. While a large army may be impressive – what is that in comparison to the Lord? Though a warrior may be able to save his life in battle with his superior strength and training, can it ultimately save him from death – physical and spiritual? Though horses are swift and powerful, and provide a definite advantage on the battle field, can they help you escape the inevitable judgement seat of God? True and ultimate salvation only comes to those who trust not in their own works, riches, or strengths; but place their faith fully on the Lord and depend fully on Him. It is only through repentance from sin and faith in the life, death and resurrection of Christ that one may be eternally saved from sin and death and made righteous before God.

Prayer: There is only One God, and One Lord: God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, I say, “God, You are my God, and Jesus, You are my Lord.” I commit to present my body before You continuously as a living sacrifice of worship – and to live, breathe and have my being for You and through You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

OT: “When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it — though at that time I had not installed the doors in the city gates — Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley.” They were planning to harm me. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply. Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations — and Geshem agrees — that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together. Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” …I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: “Let’s meet at the house of God, inside the temple. Let’s shut the temple doors because they’re coming to kill you. They’re coming to kill you tonight!” …I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me… The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.” (‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6:1-8, 10, 12-13, 15-16‬ ‭CSB)

Though Nehemiah was successful in resisting the schemes of his enemies, his enemies didn’t give up. They just tried different tactics. Now that Nehemiah had armed the workers on the wall and readied them for battle, Sanballat‘s and Tobiah’s next move was to draw Nehemiah away from the city so they could harm him. When he ignored their requests to meet, they threatened to spread false rumors about him. Instead of being baited by the false rumors, Nehemiah trusted in the Lord and prayed for strength to carry on the work. Sanballat and Tobiah even hired a Jewish prophet to give a false prophecy to intimidate Nehemiah into doing something shameful – but through God’s wisdom, Nehemiah saw past the false prophecy and refused to be intimidated. After the short period of 52 days, the wall around Jerusalem was completely rebuilt – a feat so amazing, that even the surrounding pagan nations admitted that God’s hand had accomplished the task.

Our enemy the devil, and the world systems that play into his hand, do not give up easily. One thing that my pastor is known for saying is, “When at first you resist, and the devil insists, you must persist by the authority and power of the Lord.” Threats, distractions, false accusations and intimidations are all tactics of the enemy to get us out of faith, off task, and into fear. Once we are walking in fear, he has the upper hand – but as long as we remain in faith and surrendered to God’s purposes, the devil and his cohorts have no power or influence over us. Nehemiah knew what the word of the Lord was. He knew what God’s plans and purposes were. Because of that, he had the discernment to recognize lies from the truth, insincere scheming from legitimate requests, and false prophecy from the word of God. If we spend consistent time with the Lord in the secret place, studying His word, hearing His voice and growing in intimacy with Him, we too will have the discernment (from the Holy Spirit) to differentiate between what is really from God and what is counterfeit – and the enemy of our soul will not be able to dupe us out of God’s purposes and plans for our lives.

Psalms: “The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations; he thwarts the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart from generation to generation. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord — the people he has chosen to be his own possession!” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:10-12‬ ‭CSB)

The Hebrew word translated here as counsel has to do with advice born out of wisdom and purpose. For instance, a politician may have a purpose in mind, so he offers advice out his wisdom and desire to so see that purpose accomplished. The word nations has to do with people who are strangers or who are not related to us. The word people has to do with people who are familiar or related to us. The point is that people tend to have plans and purposes that are not beneficial to us and run contrary to the purposes and plans of God. Sometimes those people are even in our own family. They will try to advise us away from God’s purposes and toward the purposes that they approve. When we trust in the Lord and allow Him to direct our steps, He frustrates and thwarts those efforts. The counsel and plans of the Lord are good and are always for our benefit, growth and fruitfulness. His purposes and plans will never fail. God had good plans for Nehemiah and Jerusalem. There were people from other nations and people from within Jerusalem that had purposes contrary to God’s. As Nehemiah trusted in the Lord, the Lord’s good purposes were fulfilled, and the purposes of the other people were frustrated and thwarted. The same will be true for us as people of God’s own possession, as we remain in Christ through faith and follow His word, will and ways.

Prayer: Lord, I know that the devil is always trying to move me away from faith and obedience through accusation, intimidation and deception. But I also know, that if I keep my eyes on You and my mind fixed on Your word, I will not be duped by the schemes and tactics of the enemy. I commit myself to Your counsel and plans, and trust You to give me discernment by Your Holy Spirit that will not lead me astray, but will lead me to fulfilled promise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

OT: “When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah, who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the one who sounded the ram’s horn was beside me. “…Wherever you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”” (‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4:15-18, 20‬ ‭CSB)

When the nations surrounding Jerusalem heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt, they conspired together to attack the workers on the wall to bring a stop to the progress. When Nehemiah learned of the threat, he posted armed guards around the wall and thwarted the enemies’ plans. As an answer to any other threats, Nehemiah armed all the workers and had half of the workers take a shift on the wall, while the other workers stood guard. That way, work would continue as they remained vigilant against attacks from their enemies – trusting that if an enemy did attack, God would fight for them.

When we come into the kingdom of God though faith in Christ, we simultaneously enter into the work of the kingdom and the war against the enemies of the kingdom. Our work is  seeing souls saved and disciples made. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of the kingdom of darkness. As faithful disciples of the Lord and citizens of the kingdom of God, we are called to enter into our kingdom work, outfitted with the armor and weapons of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-18). We faithfully do the work that our Lord has called us to do as we remain vigilant against the attacks of the enemy. We do all of this in an attitude of worship trusting that as we are faithful and obedient to the Lord, our God will fight for us.

Psalms: “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the lyre; make music to him with a ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song to him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout. For the word of the Lord is right, and all his work is trustworthy. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:1-5‬ ‭CSB)

This psalm was most likely written in response to a glorious victory over the enemies of Israel. The psalmist called all the people to rejoice in the Lord. The Hebrew word for rejoice means to be overcome to the point of vibrating with joy, and sing and shout with joy as a result. This isn’t just a “yay God” kind of shout, but a reverberating shout that causes everything around to resonate with this sound. The psalmist goes on to say, Yadah the Lord (fanatically lift up thanks and praise, zamar to the Lord (play music and sing praises), compose fresh songs from the abundance of your heart, and play amazing music as you shout in victory. Why does the psalmist call the people to make such a raucous scene? Because God proved His word to be right and His works to be completely faithful and true. Those who honor the word, will and ways of the Lord can rejoice because He loves righteousness and justice and manifests His checed (zealous mercy and faithful, covenantal love) to those who walk in His righteousness and justice.

If this is what the Old Testament people of God were called to, how much more should we, who are recipients of the new, better and living covenant that was sealed with the blood of Christ. In Christ, we are ever victorious over our enemies and should resonate with the joy of that truth and live our lives in worship to our victorious King moment by moment, day by day, for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, Your word teaches that I am to both engage in the work of Your kingdom while simultaneously engaging in warfare against the spiritual enemies of Your kingdom. I thank you that I can do both of those in confidence knowing that You will grace me for the work and equip me for the battle. Remind me daily to gird myself with the armor You provide and remain victoriously abiding in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

OT: “When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!” Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.” (‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4:1-4‬ ‭CSB)

After Nehemiah’s arrival to Jerusalem and under his leadership, the people actually began making significant progress on rebuilding the wall. When Sanballat heard the reports, he was furious. A rebuilt wall meant a strengthened Jerusalem – which meant a weakened Sanballat. While it was true that after the exiles had returned, they rebuilt the temple and reintroduced the worship of God back into the land, the people were still vulnerable to Sanballat because they had no defenses. The rebuilding of the wall would actually affect his influence, and he knew that he must do all that he could to stop its progress. The first thing he did was to hurl insults and mock the people of Jerusalem. By mocking the workers, Sanballat hoped to sow doubt into their minds and discourage them from continuing. Instead of taking matters into his own hands and becoming distracted from the work he was called to do, Nehemiah trusted God to take care of Sanballat. He said, “God, You hear what they are saying to us. By insulting us, they are insulting You. Turn their insults onto their own heads.”

The devil is our Sanballat. The devil knows that he is defeated, but he still holds power and influence on the earth. While he is not happy about lost souls being saved, what really angers him is when a believer becomes strong in the Lord, and faithfully and obediently carries out the Lord’s work on the earth by the grace of God. A saved person isn’t necessarily a threat to the devil’s influence and power. A humble, committed and faithful disciple of Jesus is. As long as we stay resigned to same old-same old, mediocre, low-level earthly living, we don’t impact the devil’s work – but when we live the life that God has provided for us through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, the devil is sure to oppose us. The primary way he does that is through accusation, ridicule and threats. When that occurs, we have the choice to either receive and believe the devils words, or submit them to the Lord and trust Him to defend us and turn the insults and accusations on the enemy’s head.

Psalms: “I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you. Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:8-11‬ ‭CSB)

With David’s relationship with God restored through confession, repentance and forgiveness, he was free to be led by the Lord and receive His counsel. David wrote in Psalm 51 that the Lord is pleased when someone comes before Him with a broken spirit and a broken and humble heart. When we stay clean, pure and humble before the Lord, we aren’t hard to lead. We aren’t stubborn and rebellious. Instead we are trusting. When a horse fully trusts his master, he will come when the master calls and do what the master asks. However, a horse that doesn’t trust his master is hard to lead and must be lead with a bit and bridle. When we allow unconfessed sin to build up in our lives, we stop experiencing the fullness of God and begin relying on ourselves. We stop trusting the word, will and ways of the Lord and become resistant to His counsel and leading. That leaves us vulnerable and susceptible to the accusations and taunts of the enemy. Because we have allowed sin to inhabit our lives, the devils accusations have weight. Many pains come to the wicked because they are incessantly beaten down by the accusations and taunts of the enemy. However, as we maintain our purity before the Lord through confession and repentance… as we fully trust in the Lord and His goodness, His faithful love surrounds us and we are able to reject the enemy’s words while walking faithfully in the words, will and ways of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I know that Your kingdom is in opposition to the kingdom of darkness, and when I live fully in Your kingdom and faithfully carry Your kingdom into my daily life, I will be opposed by the devil. I also know that You do not expect me to take on the devil’s opposition alone. As I remain in You and remain full of Your Holy Spirit… as I trust You and Your word, will and ways completely – You will lead me, counsel me and surround me with Your faithful love. As I remain pure before You and keep my mind focused on You, help me to reject the devils words and trust completely in Your’s. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalms: “How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:1-7‬ ‭CSB)

King David was far from being a perfect man. During his life, he committed some heinous sins: sleeping with another man’s wife, getting her pregnant, then having him killed to cover everything up. Yet after all that, David knew the joy of living as a forgiven man. How was that possible? David was able to experience forgiveness and maintain His relationship with God through confession and repentance of sin. No matter how hard we try, we cannot hide our sin from God. From the fall of man in the garden of Eden, sinful mankind has been trying to hide sin – but God knows all. David tried to cover up his sin, much like Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves – but the longer David kept his sin in the dark, the worse off he became. But as soon as David brought his sin out into the light, confessed it and repented from it, God forgave him and David was restored.

David’s advice to his people: confess and repent as soon as possible… immediately, in fact. Sin is both a barrier that blocks God’s flow of blessing into our lives, and a cancer that slowly eats away at us from the inside out. The longer we hold on to sin, the more susceptible we are to the challenges and troubles of this life. The only way to rid ourselves of sin is through confession with our mouths, followed by repentance from sin to God. Through that act of faith-filled obedience, God will be faithful to forgive and deliver. The biblical call to salvation is not a call to invite Jesus into your heart. The biblical call to salvation is a call to confess, repent and believe – and by doing that, you begin an abiding relationship with Christ. Without confession and repentance, there is no abiding. Salvation begins with faith in Christ and His redemptive work on the cross – but it is activated as we put our faith into action by confessing and repenting. Our abiding relationship with Christ is then ongoingly maintained as we quickly confess and repent of sins as the Holy Spirit brings conviction and makes us aware of wrongs we have committed. The Apostle John wrote this in his first epistle: “If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:7-9‬ ‭CSB) As we walk in fellowship with Christ, He works in us to not sin; but if we do, forgiveness is always possible through confession and repentance.

Prayer: Lord, Your desire for me is to be free from sin so that I may walk in an abundant abiding relationship with You. The way that You have provided for me to be free from sin is through confession and repentance. The temptation after sinning is to pridefully hold on to my sin by trying to keep it hidden. Your word says that it is Your kindness that leads to repentance, so I trust in your kindness and endeavor to humbly bring my sin out into the light, confess it and repent from it, that I may be free from sin to live in your life-giving abiding presence.

OT: “Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.” When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. I said, Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands, let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned… Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.” …Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today, and grant him compassion in the presence of this man. At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.” (‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭1:2-6, 8-9, 11‬ ‭CSB)

Nehemiah was a Jew born in exile and had risen in ranks to become the cup bearer of King Artaxerxes. Seventy years had passed since the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Hanani, one of Nehemiah’s brothers, had just returned from visiting Judah and Nehemiah was curious how things were going in the land of his people. I imagine that he was hopeful that the Israelites that had returned to Jerusalem were thriving and glorifying God. When Nehemiah heard the report, he was cut to the heart. When he learned, that instead of being a glory to God, they were a disgrace, he wept and mourned. His mourning for the city and people of God moved him to fast and pray. Just like Ezra the priest, Nehemiah confessed and repented for the sins of his people – and even included himself, despite the fact that he wasn’t a part of the exiles who had returned. He also declared the promises of God and invoked God’s promise to fully restore His people once they repented and sought God’s face once again. It was Nehemiah’s love for God and the people of God that moved him to action. It was Nehemiah’s faith in God that strengthened his resolve and gave him courage to approach the king for help. Nehemiah’s position of cup bearer gave him a regular audience with the king, but addressing the king uninvited could have cost him his life – so he prayed for favor and God answered his prayer.

In the days that we live in, we face a similar burden and challenge that Nehemiah faced. The church – at least in America – is in great trouble, and in many ways has become a disgrace. Figuratively, our walls have been broken down and our gates burned with fire. In many ways, we have shifted off of the solid foundation of obedience to God’s will, we have  torn down our stone walls of Biblical doctrine and replaced them with trendy gimmicks and watered-down theology, and our Godly standards have been torched by the pressure of political correctness and the accusations of the enemy. Like the people of Israel and the city of Jerusalem of Nehemiah’s day, we the church are called to be a light to the world which lives in darkness. We are called to stand out as a beacon of life, peace and joy. We are called to glorify God and lead others to Him – but it seems we are failing to do that. The church needs help. Do we love God and His church the way Nehemiah loved God and His holy city? Does the state of the church cut us to the heart and move us to prayer and fasting? We need men and women like Nehemiah who will be moved to action and built up in their faith to rebuild the church, and see the church reawakened and revived to their divine calling in God once again.

Psalms: “Love the Lord, all his faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:23-24‬ ‭CSB)

Hear these words from King David. Let them stir you to love and good works in the name of Christ. Love the Lord, all you who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Love the Lord and allow that love to compel you to surrender and obedience. Remind yourself of Who our God is through praise and thanksgiving, and allow your hope in God to strengthen you and fill you with courage… love and faith, strength and courage that moves you beyond mere feeling and talk to action.

Prayer: Lord, You love Your church. The church is Your bride… the bride that You gave Your life for… the bride that You have gone to prepare a home for. If You love Your church and I love You, then I too should love Your church with a passion. Help me to not settle for a complacent church that has forgotten her first love – but instead to courageously contend for a beautiful bride that is fully ready for her wedding day and filled with the radiance of God’s glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.