Nehemiah 7 & 8: A Faithful Man

Verse of the Day: (7:2) That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

After the completion of the rebuilding project, Nehemiah delegated the works of overseeing Jerusalem to Hanani, his brother, and Hananiah, the ruler of the palace, as both were faithful men who feared God. He then appointed guards at all the gates as he knew that their enemies, the Samaritans, would seek to destroy what they had rebuilt. Indeed, let us be faithful to God, and fear Him, and be sober and vigilant, as Satan, God’s enemy, is always seeking to destroy us, and our works for Him. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) 

God then put into Nehemiah’s heart to find the register of the genealogy of the Jews who first returned to Jerusalem after being released from the Babylonian captivity. The reason was because Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, shall be from the Jews, and Satan would do everything to hinder His birth such that man can never be reconciled with God but be eternally condemned in hell like him because of sin. However, Jesus, the First and the Last, always win over Satan, as He came into this world, and lived and ministered, and died and shed His blood at the cross for the sins of the world. Whoever therefore believes in Jesus shall never perish, but have eternal life with Him in heaven. (Revelation 1:1-11)

Amid opposition, the people gathered as one people to hear Ezra, the priest, reading God’s Word, and some wept as this was the first time they heard it, as they never hear it during their 70 long years of captivity in Babylon. Nehemiah then led them in great celebration with the fat and sweet drinks of the land, and they also shared the blessings with the poor. It was indeed a holy day, as they knew that the joy of the Lord was their strength. Let us thus trust in God, and He shall bless us now and forever. (Proverbs 28:25)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please help me to be faithful, and to always fear You now and forever.

 Nehemiah 5 & 6: I Am Doing A Great Work

Verse of the Day: (6:3) And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

Not only was there external opposition, but there was internal crisis that Nehemiah had to solve amid rebuilding the city and walls of Jerusalem. He was very angry with the nobles and rulers, who took advantage of the famine, to charge their own people with exorbitant interest for the loan to buy corn for their families, that many resorted to selling their children as slaves, in order to service the loans plus high interest. There was hence a great cry of the people, and Nehemiah prayed to God to help him find a solution. Indeed, let us cry to God, Abba, Father, as He is able to help us do anything, including the impossible, for His children and joint-heirs with Christ, who truly believe in Him. (Romans 8:15-17) 

Nehemiah gathered his people to rebuke the nobles and rulers for charging high interest on their own people. He reminded them that as God’s people they should love and care for one another so that the unbelievers could see the loving testimony of Christ in them, and thus believe in Him. Indeed, we are God’s great assembly and church, and let us serve Him with reverence and godly fear as He is not only a gracious and loving God, but He is also a consuming fire who judges and punishes wicked sinners. (Hebrews 12:18-29)

The walls were finished in a record time of 52 days, because God was with Nehemiah and his people. Amid the rebuilding, Nehemiah faced much opposition and crises even death threat, but he never gave up, as he knew that if God was with him in His great work, who can be against him. Indeed, when their enemies saw that they had miraculously completed the massive project, they knew that God was with them. Let us therefore keep focusing on doing the great work of God of sharing the gospel that Jesus saves, amid great opposition and discouragement, as He is with us now and forever. (John 6:26-29)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, thank You that I am doing a great work in sharing Your Word to all.

Nehemiah 3 & 4: The High Priest

Verse of the Day: (3:1) Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

Leadership by example. There is no short-cut for leaders as in the case of the high priest rising up with his priests to rebuild the ruined gates and walls. Not only did they repaired the walls but they sanctified the repairs to God for all that He had done for and through them. Indeed, there was great leadership and teamwork in action as each family repaired the damaged piece. However even with great leadership and teamwork there would still be some, even within the people of Israel, who refused to put their necks to the work of God, like the Tekoites nobles. Let us thus look to Jesus, our High Priest, who set the highest example for us, when He gave His life on the cross for the sins of the world that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have everlasting life. (Hebrews 9:11-22)

Every piece of the jigsaw puzzle is important as they make the full picture of the puzzle. Nehemiah and the people knew that every piece of the walls was vital as they diligently repaired it. Indeed, every soul is precious to God as He seeks to save whoever believes in Him, and all His angels rejoice over one sinner who repents of his sins. (Luke 15:8-10)

Prayer is the source of power for Christians. Nehemiah knew that unless he and his people prayed to God for power, strength and wisdom, they would never be able to complete the rebuilding of the city and walls amid much opposition, discouragement and even death threat. One of the most effective weapons that Satan uses to hinder God and His people is discouragement. Satan used Sanballat and his Samaritan army to discourage Nehemiah and his people by mocking them that they would never be able to repair the walls as they were too weak. However, Nehemiah and his people continued to pray and rebuild, and eventually completed the rebuilding project. Indeed, let us pray to Jesus, our High Priest, amid life crises, and He shall hear and answer us, and show us great and mighty things that are beyond our imagination and understanding.               (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, thank You, that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, shall intercede for us.

Nehemiah 1 & 2: The God Of Heaven

Verse of the Day: (2:4) Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.

1.  House (1:1-11)

Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. (1:6)

Though Nehemiah was only a king’s cupbearer, yet his heart was like a king, as he sought to lead his people of Israel to rebuild their ruined city and walls of Jerusalem, after he heard of their plight. (1:11) Though it seemed an impossible task as he was in Persian (modern Iran) serving King Artaxerxes of Persia, and far from Jerusalem, yet he prayed to the God of heaven for direction and guidance. He not only prayed for the rebuilding project, but he also humbled himself, and confessed his sins and the sins of his father’s house (Israel). Indeed, many times our tasks may seem impossible to accomplish, but let us start with prayer, and trust God, and do exactly what He has impressed upon our hearts, and eventually we shall complete them. Let us thus commit ourselves and our houses (families) to serve God to the end, and He shall bless us now and forever. (Joshua 24:15)

2.  Heaven (2:1-7)

And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me: and I set him a time. (2:6)

Indeed, whatsoever we ask in God’s name, He shall answer us. The God of heaven must have touched King Artaxerxes’ heart to permit Nehemiah and his people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and walls. Nehemiah must also have been a faithful and godly cupbearer that the king fully trusted him. Let us therefore always pray to our God of heaven that His perfect will be done in and through us, and for His glory. (Luke 11:1-4)

3.  Hand (2:8-20)

And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me. (2:8)

Not only King Artaxerxes approved of Nehemiah’s project, he even commanded his leaders to supply him with all the timber that he needed for the project. Indeed, let us humble ourselves under the good and mighty hand of God, and He shall exalt us in His time. Let us also cast all our cares upon God, because He truly cares for us. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please help me to pray to You, the God of heaven, to only do Thy will.

Ezra 9 & 10: Hope In Israel

Verse of the Day: (10:2) And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

 1.  Holy (9:1-15)

And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. (9:8)

It was not just the ruined Jerusalem and her walls and the house of God that Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah returned to rebuild them, but it was the spirituality of the people of Israel including their princes and rulers had committed immorality and idolatry. It was tragic as the reason why Jerusalem was in total ruin was because of the sins of Israel, and now after God delivered them out of captivity, they still returned to sin against Him. However, God never gave up on Israel, as He put into the hearts of Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah and a remnant to abide in Him and follow His Word. This was why Ezra tore his garment, plucked off his hair and beard, and wept and prayed to God. Indeed, let us flee from immorality and idolatry, and be holy before our holy God. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

2.  Hope (10:1-18)

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. (10:1)

Though everything seemed hopeless in Israel as in the ruined city, walls and the house of God, and in particular, the sins of idolatry and immorality, yet Ezra continued to weep and pray, and had hope in Israel, and in his Almighty God. When the people thus saw him wept and prayed, they began to weep and pray and repent their sins. This was indeed the testimony of Ezra as a leader to his people. Let us therefore keep praying to God, and hope in Him, and He shall grant us His joy and peace now and forever. (Romans 15:13)

3.  Hands (10:19-44)

And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass. (10:19)

The people of Israel repented their sins and gave their hands and hearts to God, and separated themselves from their unbelieving wives. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) It was a tough decision but they knew that they must obey God and flee from idolatry. Today, we still must obey God and marry only those who believe in Him. There is no other way but to only trust and obey God and lift up our holy hands before His holiness. (1 Timothy 2:8)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please help me to pray and flee from sins and obey and hope in You.

2 Chronicles 35 & 36: The Passover
Verse of the Day: (35:18) And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

1. The Passover (35:1-19)
Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. (35:1)

King Josiah was the last good king of Judah as he kept the Passover in remembrance of God’s deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians. The Passover was never kept by all the previous kings of Israel and Judah since it was last observed in the days of Prophet Samuel. Josiah encouraged all the priests and the people in their service to God, as he put in place the Holy Ark in God’s splendid house. He generously offered 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bullocks as offerings, and as an example of his love for God. His princes followed his example and gave generous offerings to God. Indeed, let us lead by example as Jesus is our best example who loved and gave Himself for His people. (1 Peter 2:21-25)
 
2. The Preparation (34:20-27)
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. (35:20)

Preparation and planning are very vital in the success of our lives and ministry, however they will be in vain if God is not in them. This was what happened to Josiah as he prepared his reign, but disobeyed God when he led Judah to fight with King Necho of Egypt. Tragically he died in the battle that he should never have fought in the first place. Let us remember that without God, all our plans and preparation are in vain. (Psalms 127)

3. Prophet (36:1-23)
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. (36:12)

Jehoahaz succeeded his father, Josiah, and he was an evil king. The king of Egypt was in control of Judah at that time, and after 3 months, he replaced Jehoahaz with Jehoiakim, his brother, as the next “puppet” king. Soon King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Judah, and Jehoiakim was taken as prisoner to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar then replaced Jehoiakim with Jehoiachin, his son. Within 3 months and 10 days, he was replaced by Zedekiah, his brother. The last king, Zedekiah, again refused to obey God’s Word through His prophet Jeremiah, and thus God’s judgment was upon Judah, until He sent King Cyrus of Persia to free them from the Babylonians so that they could return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city. Indeed, God never forsakes His people. (Hebrews 13:5)      

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to keep Your Passover in my heart by loving You.

2 Chronicles 33 & 34: Humble Thyself Before God
Verse of the Day: (34:27) Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

1. Hearken (33:1-25)
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. (33:10)

Manasseh, who succeeded his father, King Hezekiah of Judah, did evil before God unlike his godly father. He led Judah in worshipping idols, and practiced witchcraft and child sacrifice that provoked God. God then sent the Assyrians to defeat them, and Manasseh was captured as a prisoner to Babylon. In prison, Manasseh humbled himself, and pleaded with God, and God answered his prayers. He was released from prison and returned to Jerusalem. He then led Judah to destroy all the idols, and commanded them to worship the true God of Israel. Manasseh ruled Judah for 55 years, the longest reign of all the kings of Judah and Israel. After his death, Amon, his son, succeeded him. Amon did evil before God, but unlike Manasseh, he did not humble himself before God. However, both Manasseh and Amon were evil as they did not truly hearken to God. (Proverbs 8:32)
  
2. Humble (34:1-28)
And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. (34:17)

Josiah, succeeded his father, King Amon, when he was only 8 years old after Amon was assassinated by his own servants. Josiah did what was right before God as he led Judah into repairing God’s house. While repairing it, they discovered a book of God’s law from Moses, which prophesied God’s wrath upon Israel. Josiah tore his clothes when he heard of God’s judgment. He asked Hilkiah, the high priest and his servants to enquire from Huldah, the prophetess, about the prophecy. Huldah confirmed that God would judge them, but He shall spare Josiah and all who humbled themselves before Him. (James 4:10)

3. Heart (34:29-33)
And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. (34:31)

Josiah gathered all his people, and covenanted with God that they would love Him, and keep and obey His commandments with all their hearts and soul. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to humble myself before You, and trust and obey You.

2 Chronicles 31 & 32: Our God To Help Us
Verse of the Day: (32:8) With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 

1. Heart (31:1-21)
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (31:21)

God’s richest blessings can only come from our complete obedience to Him. God blessed Judah as King Hezekiah led them in spiritual revival and reformation as they removed their false idols, sanctified themselves, offered their sacrifices, firstfruits and tithes, and worshipped God in truth and spirit with all their hearts. Indeed, whatsoever we do, let us do it heartily for God, as only He deserves our praise and worship. (Colossians 3:23-25)
  
2. Help (32:1-23)
And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. (32:20)

God does not promise us sky always blue, as there will be storms in our lives. King Sennacherib of Assyria and his mighty army came and besieged Judah, just when everything went well in Hezekiah’s reign. However, Hezekiah was well prepared as he commanded his captains and soldiers to dry up all wells, repair and build the walls, make weapons and shields, and rally them to be strong and courageous as God was with them to help them prevail against their enemies. Sennacherib then sent his representatives to intimidate and demoralise Judah by telling them that the mighty Assyrians had never once lost a battle, and that they should surrender to them to avoid bloodshed. Hezekiah and Prophet Isaiah then prayed and cried to God. God immediately sent His angel to destroy the Assyrian captains and their warriors, and thus saved Judah. Sennacherib then retreated to the house of his god, and was tragically murdered by his own sons. Indeed, let us pray to our God, as only He alone shall help us in all our needs. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

3. Humility (32:24-33)
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. (32:26)

At his old age, Hezekiah was dying from his illness, and God healed him when he prayed. However, he soon became proud, and God’s wrath was upon him. He then humbled himself, and once again, God’s blessings were upon him. Indeed, God shall bless us, as we humble ourselves before Him, and serve Him with all our hearts. (Matthew 23:1-12)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You always help me when I pray and call upon You.

2 Chronicles 29 & 30: It Is In Mine Heart
Verse of the Day: (29:10) Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.

1. Heart (29:1-29)
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. (29:24)

Hezekiah succeeded Ahaz, his father, as the King of Judah, and he was a good king. He commanded the priests and the Levites to sanctify themselves before they repaired God’s house, and worship only the God of Israel. He had his heart to make a covenant with God so that Israel shall escape His fierce wrath. He then gathered the people, and commanded the priests to offer 7 bullocks, 7 rams, 7 lambs and 7 he goats on God’s altar for the burnt and sin offerings by shedding the blood of the sacrifices as an atonement of the sins of all Israel. Indeed, this was the prophecy of the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, to die on the cross, and shed His blood, as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. (Hebrews 9)   

2. Head (29:30-36)
Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped. (29:30)

When God forgave the sins of Israel, they rejoiced and thanked Him bowing their heads in submission and humility for all that God had done for them. The people then willingly and joyfully offered 70 bullocks, 100 rams and 200 lambs for a burnt offering, and also consecrated 600 oxen and 3,000 sheep until the priests had to call in the Levites to help them with the flaying of these generous offerings. Indeed, our greatest joy is when we bow our heads and hearts, and receive Jesus as our Saviour. This was what Jesus did when He bowed his head to His Father, and proclaimed, “It is finished!” He gave His life for the world, that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life with Him. (John 19:30)

3. Heal (30:1-27)
And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. (30:20)

Hezekiah invited the people from the northern kingdom, who were now under the Assyrians after their defeat to them, to God’s house at Jerusalem to observe the Passover, which was an important event reminding them of how God saved them during the time of their bondage in Egypt. (Exodus 12) He then instituted the Passover on the second month so that those who were not sanctified could have the chance to repent of their sins. (Numbers 9:9-14) He loved and obeyed God in his heart, and God answered his prayer by healing them and forgiving their sins as they turned to Him in repentance. (1 John 1:9-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You have put in my heart to truly love You and others.

2 Chronicles 27 & 28: The Fierce Wrath Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (28:11) Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you. 

1. Ways (27:1-9)
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. (27:6)

Jotham succeeded Uzziah, his father, as the King of Judah, and he was a good king as he loved God and his people and built cities for them, as well as castles and towers to protect them from their enemies. Though he prepared his ways before God and led his people to victory over their enemies, yet his people still rebelled against God. Indeed, let us continue to live for God, our Saviour and Judge, even though many may reject Him, as one day we shall give an account of ourselves and our works to Him. (Romans 14:1-12)

2. Walk (28:1-5)
For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. (28:2)

Ahaz succeeded Jotham, his father, as the King of Judah, and unlike his father, he was an evil king who sinned against God by worshipping idols like all the nineteen bad kings of Israel. He even burnt his own children as sacrifices to the idols. God then judged him and Judah, by sending the Syrians and Israel, their own brothers, to attack them. Many of them were killed, and those who survived were brought to Damascus as their slaves. Indeed, let us flee from the darkness of sins, and walk in the light of God. (1 John 1:5-7)

3. Wrath (28:6-27)
And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. (28:13)

God’s fierce wrath was upon the people of Israel, because they had killed many of their own brothers, the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and took the rest of them to Samaria as their slaves. However, Ahaz also grievously sinned against God as he worshipped the gods of Damascus, and even asked the kings of Assyria, instead of the Almighty God, to help him from the invasion of all his enemies, the likes of Syria, Israel, the Edomites and the Philistines. Subsequently, God severely humbled and punished Ahaz and the people of Judah by allowing all their enemies to defeat and destroy them. At the same time, the Assyrians also invaded and defeated Israel. They killed many of the people of Israel, and completely destroyed the kingdom of Israel, with Hoshea as their last king. (2 Kings 17) It was a sad day for God’s people of both Judah and Israel. Indeed, let us avoid God’s wrath by doing what is right before Him, as we shall reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to flee from Your fierce wrath by submitting to You.