March 7 Reading Plan

March 7

Nehemiah 8-10

 

Listen one more time to Nehemiah 9:28 - and when they cried out to you again, you heard form heaven, and in your compassion, you delivered them time after time. 

 

Nehemiah is making a statement for the people to hear. He is talking with God and remembering his faithfulness. And he is doing this, at a time where the people are remembering their lack of faithfulness. 

 

Ezra had just read the book of the law of Moses. And the interesting thing is that everyone old enough to understand stood there together and listened. This was probably around the age of 12 and older. And they all stood there listening for half the day. And after listening, they responded. They realized their corruptness that had been influenced by the people of the land. And they began to respond appropriately. 

 

When was the last time you heard the word of God, and were convicted? 

 

Because here is the things, we are all influenced by the world around us. The only way we get convicted of it, is through the reading of His word and a proper response to it. 

 

So they all heard the word, and responded in humility. 

 

So as Nehemiah says these words, he is reminding them of God’s faithfulness. He has delivered them time and time again. 

 

You know, it is awfully easy to complain and wish things were different! If you are anything like me, you can easily identify the things you wish God would change. When we do this, it is easy to wallow in self-pity and wish life was just easier for us. But when we get focused on this, we forget that he has faitfhfully taken care of us over and over again! 

 

In fact, can you take a moment and think of a time when God came through for you? Maybe it was by providing when there seemed to be a lack of resources. Maybe it was through supernatural forgiveness that reconciled a relationship. Or maybe it was healing for you or someone you love. If we stop and think about it, God has been so faithful throughout all the generations! 

This is why we read the word of God. 

 

It reminds us of his faithfulness and how he has provided for us. Even if only the fact that Jesus died so that we could have life, there is nothing better than that. But throughout the years, God has put up with human rebellion and has faithfully turned his heart toward mankind and delivered us. 

 

Jesus is the biggest proof of this. Paul says it this way in the book of Romans - While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. 

 

This was just another example of God’s relentless pursuit of human relationship with him. 

 

Did you know that God has been chasing after you since the beginning of time. He knew that our hearts were bent on rebellion. But that did’t stop him from chasing after us! He desperately wants to be with you, so he delivers us time and time again! 

 

You might feel forgotten, abandoned, or even let down by God. But I promise you, God loves you more than you will ever understand! You are his loved piece of creation and he will not stop until you have the chance to be with him! 

 

So, listen to God’s word. Hear how desperately God loves you. Learn how you’ve blocked him, and respond in humility. But most importantly, Let God love you today! Understand that he has proven that, and he will do it again and again and again, until you understand his desperate love for you!