Nehemiah 9

Nehemiah 9

 
   Wow.  This chapter is so refreshing for me.  Sometimes you just have to sit back and listen to the goodness of God.  Listen to the history of His promises, His mercy, His fulfillments, His love.  The majority of this chapter is a prayer, and boy is it a good one!  It is said after (or during?) a half day of pure worship and repentance.  HALF DAY!  They spent a quarter of the day reading the Book of the Law and another quarter of the day in confession and repentance.  Reading the Word of the Lord does and should lead to repentance.  How can a believer read about the Glory of the Lord, the compassion and Holiness of the Lord and not be ashamed of their sins.  Not want to confess our evil and be set free and washed pure with the blood of the Lamb?  It is incomprehensible how much love, patience and mercy the Lord has with His people.  Why God;  why did You choose to lavish Your love on us?

   It seems the best thing I can do with this chapter is just recap the Mighty Works of the Father that were said in the prayer.  They bear repeating and could never be over said. 

Blessed be His Glorious Name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise!

He alone is Lord

He made the Heavens, the highest Heavens, the Starry Host, the earth and all this is on it, the seas and all that is in them

He gives life to everything

The multitudes of Heaven worship Him

He made a covenant with Abram to give to his descendants the land of other peoples.

He kept his promises because He is righteous

He sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh and the land of Egypt to revenge His people

He made a name for Himself, which remains to this day

He divided the Red Sea, His people passed through it on dry ground, and their pursuers were hurled to the depths of the mighty waters.

By day He was among His people leading them as a pillar of cloud and by night a pillar of fire

He came down to your people and spoke to them from Mount Sanai

He provided them with regulations and laws that are just and right, decrees and commands that are good, and made known to them His Holy Sabbath

His people were hungry and He fed them, thirsty and He gave them drink

Our forefathers were arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey His commands but He did not destroy them because He is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love

Our forefathers made for themselves a golden calf and worshipped it as if it were their God who did all of these miraculous things, and in His great compassion He did not abandon them

For forty years He sustained our forefathers in the desert with manna, water, clothing and direction.  For forty years the direction did not cease, the Spirit continued to instruct, the food and water did not run out and their clothing did not wear out

He gave our forefathers kingdoms and nations as He promised

Abrams sons were as numerous as the stars in the sky and they were brought into the land He promised they would posses

His people ate to the full and were well-nourished; they revealed in His great goodness

His people rebelled, killing His prophets and committed awful blasphemies, He handed them over to their enemies.  But in His great mercy He heard their cry and delivered them. 

Time and time again His people did evil in His sight and rebelled against Him, but the Lord showed compassion and delivered them when they repented.  In His great mercy He did not put an end to them or abandon them, for He is a gracious and Merciful God

Our God is Great.  Our God is Mighty.  Our God is Awesome.

   In all of this, in all of the Lords Holiness and Mightiness, He still cares about the little things.  He loves us and is tender with us.  He is not just about the big picture, He sees the little things as well.  The prayer asks that the Lord wold not let all of this hardship the people of Jerusalem are experiencing seem trifling in His eyes.  And I assure you it was not.  The Lord is not distant or unapproachable, He is near and tells us to come to Him in ALL things- big or small.  

     Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things, through prayer and petition, in thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

     Luke 12 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear....For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you will need them.  But seek His Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom."  

     1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

     Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."

     Psalm 139  "O Lord, you have searched me and You know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." 

   I highly encourage you to make a list or prayer very similar to this chapter that includes all of the miraculous works the Lord has done in your life.  When have you fallen and He has picked you up.  When have you rebelled and He has been right there waiting for you to repent and then swept you into His arms as soon as you did.  When has He fulfilled His promises to you.  When has He cared for you. 

   Remember His good works He has done in your life and praise Him for it.  Feel free to share some things the Lord has done for you in the comments.  Tell the world of His works, tell them of His compassion and love.  Speak praises of His Name and bring Him glory!

If you have anything to add or any questions about Nehemiah 9 then please feel free to leave a comment.  I'll get back with any questions as soon as I ask someone wiser than me;) Have a wonderful day! Love, Devon