more from Nehemiah

When I told Nat yesterday that I really like the book of Nehemiah she was surprised!  But it's true, I really do.  Today's readings take place from 3:15-5:13.  In this section the work of Nehemiah with the people to rebuild the wall is mocked severely.  They were teased and mocked because the task was so big, and overwhelming.  "That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!"  they said.  I mention this only because it frames the enormity of the task.  Obviously it is a pretty huge undertaking, enough so that it gives them something to mock and tease about.  This helps make the point of verse 6 all the sweeter.  "At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm."  I love that.  Isn't it true in general that when you work with enthusiasm and don't get side tracked by the detractors of  whatever the task at hand may be much can be accomplished!  Attitude is everything.  (well at least it's a ton!) 

And when progress is continued and successful the threats increase in number and severity.  But that doesn't stop the progress either.  I love verse 9.  It may well be one of the most educational verses I have come across in all of scripture.  "But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves"   It is such a perfect picture of the partnership between prayer and action.  God uses His people.  Pray AND Do.  I think Nehemiah's trust in God to protect them is not in any way diminished by the plan of action he sets in place. That is how I have seen God work in my life.  Pray and an idea comes.  Pray and a plan of action materializes.  Pray and regain your strength.  Of course God can work in miraculous ways too, and often we see the picture of that in scripture.  I find this section of Nehemiah to be a much closer representation of how God utilizes prayer in my life.

January 20, 2012

Today's readings included the first couple chapters of Nehemiah.  Over the years I have grown to really love and appreciate this book.  I love the picture of answered prayer and team work that is portrayed.  For example in today's reading there is Nehemiah's fervent prayer to God to be able to go home and repair the city walls.  This prayer takes place in Autumn and in the Spring Nehemiah receives a favorable response. It's fun to see the clear answer to prayer and more enjoyable yet when it comes out the way you hope!  Not that the task at hand would be easy, but still the gracious hand of God in the events is so clearly evident.  I also think it is a good reminder that God's timing is always best even though waiting is rarely something we are fond of doing.  Then when Nehemiah gets home, the team work that is evident by family groups each working on a section of the wall.  What an awesome picture of leadership and teamwork.  As a whole the task would be somewhat overwhelming, but divided into sections and among many people a lot of work is accomplished in what appears to be pretty short order!

The Lord Cares about our bodies

I prefer to think about "thou shall not murder"  I'm good at that one.  I've never murdered anyone!  Thou shall not commit adultery... Yeah, let's think about that one, never done that either!  Thou shall not covet... maybe a struggle or two in this department but I do pretty good in the department of contentment.  I'm over blessed so this one is pretty easy too.  I'd be pretty comfortable talking about this one and feeling pretty stinking good about myself. 

But nothing in today's readings bring up any of the stuff I'm good at.... Nope, it addresses bodies.  While in the context of the readings it is talking about sexual purity (and I'd love to just keep it there, because once again, doing great in that area!)  the lesson extends way beyond that.  Here are some examples in the text that make it clear that it goes beyond sexual purity:

"and the Lord cares about our bodies."  (vs 13)
"Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ?" (vs 15)
"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body"

I stink at this...  I think of my body as my own well padded under watered, undernourished but over fed body as MY business.  But I am wrong about this.  My body doesn't really belong to me... it belongs to Christ.  And I don't take care of it very well.  I skip breakfast and other meals and then justify sugary snacks to tide me over til I'm around real food.  I've passed on exercise so long that I'm not sure where my muscles even are.  I use excuses to not do what I should be doing to care for this treasure that God has entrusted to my care while I am here on earth and it is a sin I struggle with every day. 

I'm thankful for the forgiveness of Christ for this and every sin in my life, and I count on Him to help me keep today's important truths in mind.    I have not been being a good steward of a precious gift entrusted to my care.... this is not typical of me when other things are entrusted to my care, why do I think of my own body as less important?  What am I willing to do different?  hmmmmm.  Good things to ponder in order to make some much needed changes....

hmmm

 I wonder..... how much time elapses between when David wrote Psalm 28:1-5 and when he writes vs 6-9.....

Proverbs 20:24 "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?"   (good question.... but I sure do question everything along the way.  I'll have to work on that!)