Rebuild Those Walls: A Great Treasure

One Year Bible (Aug. 14)

Nehemiah: 7:73b-9:21

REBUILD THOSE WALLS: A GREAT TREASURE

As I read today’s passage, I heard a praise song arising in my spirit. Sometimes I just hear a part of a song and it goes on replay you could say… Here are the words that are playing in my soul.

“This is what living looks like. This is what freedom feels like. This is what Heaven sounds like. We praise You. We praise You.” (We Praise You, Brandon Lake)

When you join in a worship service or Bible study with fellow believers what does it “look like”, “sound like”, and “feel like”?

Have you ever been in a Bible study where there are long discussions on politics with complaints, and opinions but short discussions on God’s Word?

Do people know what we “Stand For” or merely hear what we “Complain Against”?

Our OT studies have reminded me how much God is sovereign over ALL the affairs of man. He moved evil kingdoms to conquer HIS own chosen people because they forgot to LOOK and ACT like Chosen people!

In the next book, we see him using an outside King to return his own people to their land. They give permission, help, and even pay for their REBUILDING! This is UNHEARD of and unimaginable… Yet, it was FORETOLD and it came true!

In our study, we have learned the way for a nation to be restored during our time in Chronicles, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

I see this very passage being lived out in our studies of Ezra and Nehemiah.

These people were captured. Their beautiful Temple was destroyed and everything was taken and decimated. They had lived in captivity in Babylon and lost their sense of identity, belonging, worship, and homeland. Everything had been destroyed!

What do you hear in their conversations and the direction of their leadership?

Has Ezra and Nehemiah been “bad-mouthing” the leadership?

Have the people been “cursing” Babylon now that they are released and able to speak freely?

Are they stuck in their anger and pain and posting daily on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media?

You can check people’s TIk TOK to see what makes them “TICK”, you know…

Look at the key verse for today, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Ezra and Nehemiah have been quite the Dynamic Duo. We see that not only have they been working to Rebuild the Tempe, the Walls, but they are working now to REBUILD the people’s LIVES.

Do these people see themselves as Victims or Victorious?

Are they stuck in their past as CAPTIVES or living in their FREEDOM?

Nehemiah 8 contains one of the most precise descriptions in the Bible to correctly teach us how to handle scripture. I invite you to look again at this chapter through “Examining Eyes” and ask yourself some questions. Feel free to make notes in the margins of your Bible and grab out your highlighter. Tomorrow we are going to examine the process used in this chapter.

What scriptures speak of the process or steps involved for the people to learn, love, and live The Word of God? How are they being encouraged to go from Captives to Committed?

In what way are they being encouraged to leave “REPEATING PAST PROBLEMS” to “REJOICING in PRESENT PROVISION”?

When these people of EXILE came home they literally had nothing and faced UNSURMOUNTABLE odds! What did Ezra and Nehemiah give them? They did not give them riches, ease, or a trouble-free life. What they did give them, however, changed EVERYTHING.

What does your “living” look like? Can people see true freedom in your life and faith? Can they see a glimpse of heaven in your eyes? I would love to see your comments, questions, and thoughts about these questions in the comments section.

When you discover the WORD of GOD it is Life-Changing, Mind-Blowing, and Attitude-Altering…

Discovering the WORD of GOD is “THE GREATEST TREASURE!

“I rejoice in YOUR WORD like one who discovers a GREAT TREASURE.” (Psalm 119:162)

“Oh gracious Father, may the world around us see that our greatest treasure is YOU! AMEN”