Sunday, March 25, 2018

Fifty-Two Days in Nehemiah (Day 40)


Day 40

Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us…
Nehemiah 9:32

From time to time, our perspective of who God is and how He works gets twisted. We tend to think our God cannot, or will not, do anything about our situation. Though we might not want to admit it, our view of Him gets small. If our view of God is not diminished, then we might allow our confidence that He cares about our problems to be shaken.

Nehemiah’s people are taking a serious look at their own hearts. They are considering how they have created a legacy of disobeying what God had called them to do. As they are praying, they focus on several things. First, they look at how great God is. They say of Him that He is, “the great, the mighty, and the awesome God.” They make sure that their view of God is big enough.

Second, they focus on God’s covenant keeping character. They know that God will not go back on His word, regardless of what they have done. God will keep His word because it reflects His name. They know that their hope is not in something they have done, but in who God is.

Third, they make a request. They ask that God would not, “let all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us.” They are asking God to acknowledge that things have been rough. They further acknowledge that this is their own fault. However, their guilt does not stop them from asking for God’s favor.

As you consider your own challenges and difficulties, remember who your God is; the great and mighty and awesome God. Remember He is a covenant keeping God; all His promises are yours. And finally, do not be afraid to ask for His help, even if your guilt is the cause of the issue.

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