Fifty-Two Days in Nehemiah (Day 42)

Day 42

We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord.

Nehemiah 10:35

The struggle to keep our priorities straight is a very real one. There are things that vie for our attention constantly. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, it is easy to forget where our blessings come from, leading to stress, anxiety, and frustration.

The people in Nehemiah’s time had forgotten to keep their focus on God. Overtime, they were worried about the wrong things and gave their attention to matters that were not important. To correct this, they made a renewed commitment to the tithe. They committed to bring the firstfruits of the ground and the first fruits of their trees to the Lord.

This act of giving the firstfruits does two things. First, it serves as an act of thanksgiving. It is a reminder that all we have comes from the hand of God. Second, it serves as an act of faith. It is as if we are saying, I know where this blessing came from and I will trust that you will continue to provide in the future.

Clearly, the discipline of tithing is a difficult one for some. To give up a tenth of one’s income before we even get started is a real challenge. However, we must decide whether we are going to trust in our own ability to provide, or in God’s faithfulness toward us. Malachi 3:10 challenges us with this, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse…and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

If you find yourself in a place of discouragement, related to your finances and needs, know that this is the one time we are invited to “test God.” Take a step of faith and see what He might do.

Fifty-Two Days in Nehemiah (Day 41)

Day 41

[They] join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.

Nehemiah 10:29

There comes a time in our lives when we have to say enough is enough. This declaration may apply to a number of areas, but the need for it surfaces throughout life. Maybe, it is in relation to our health. Maybe, it is in relation to our habits. Or maybe, it is in relation to our walk with God. When is enough, enough?

The people in Nehemiah’s time had stopped to take an inventory, of not only their lives, but the history of their lineage. They discovered that they had a terrible habit of walking away from God and doing what they wanted to do. Again, and again, throughout their history, they had ended up in trouble with God and walking outside His blessing.

These people came to the point that they said, “enough is enough.” They then made a vow to God, recognizing full well, that if they did not keep it, it would bring a curse. Their commitment was to, “observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.” Simply put, we will do this God’s way instead of our way.

If you are discontented with your life today, let me encourage you to do an inventory. Have you been living life God’s way? Do you observe His commandments? Do you try to live by His rules and statutes? If not, it only follows that life would seem empty, devoid of purpose, and frustrating.

If you find that you have been walking outside of God’s will, repent and return. Our God is a good and gracious God. He is slow to anger and quick to forgive. Return to Him.

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.