Putting It In Writing

"In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

Nehemiah 9:38

The wall was rebuilt and the Israelites were recounting God's faithfulness in all that He had done for them. They declared publicly that they were commiting to God. Then, they put it in writing and making it official. By putting it on paper, affixing their seal to it, they were attempting to show how serious they were about their commitment. If they faltered, someone could pull out the paper and remind them of their commitment. If they wanted to break their commitment, you could look at the seal on the document and realize that it cannot be broken. They could be held accountable to their commitment. There's no seal on my blog. No physical signature on it either. Back on May 4, 2010 I committed to blogging on my daily Bible reading as a means to engaging more deeply with what I have been reading. I am amazed at how God has blessed me and how much more I have gleaned from what I was reading. I've been convicted in areas I'm falling short. I've been edified and encouraged to grow in some areas. I feel like I've gotten to know some of the Old Testament saints better and been encouraged as I've read of their repentence. Most importantly, I've gotten to know God better. That has been my ultimate goal and it remains so. So, don't look for my signature or my seal, but here in writing for all to see is my commitment.

Reading the Law

³ He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

⁶ Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:3,6 (NIV)

Nehemiah and his crew had finished rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. To celebrate, they had Ezra the priest bring out the book of the Law and read it to the people. It wasn't a boring speech or a sermon that no one was paying attention to. The people listened attentively and when Ezra was finished they praised, they lifted their hands and they shouted "Amen!" and they worshipped!

This isn't always how I respond to hearing the Word of God. Haven't I seen God's faithfulness? Haven't I seen God do great things? Don't I know how true His Word is? Aren't I moved by His Word? Why shouldn't I respond to hearing or reading His Word by worshipping? I may refrain from shouting "Amen" only in the interest of not waking my wife and kids but I shouldn't refrain from responding to His Word in worship.

Praying In Adversity

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."

But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

Nehemiah 6:9 (NIV)

When times got tough while rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayed. When his enemies taunted him, Nehemiah prayed. When the enemies taunted and tried to get under his skin and make him think he and his workers would get weak, Nehemiah prayed that God would strengthen his hands. It all seems so simple. When times get tough: pray. When you don't have the strength to carry on: pray that God wil strengthen you. It's all so straightforward. All I have to do is remember... OK, that part is sometimes hard...

Remembering Who We Pray To

⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said:

"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

Nehemiah 1:4-7 (NIV)

Nehemiah prayed earnestly to God. In doing so, he demonstrates a few things about God that we need to keep in mind when we're praying to God.

• He humbles himself. Before even opening up his mouth, Nehemiah humbles himself through mourning and fasting. I don't want to prescribe specific methods here, but humbling yourself before God before you open your mouth - good idea!
• He remembers God's majesty. He recognizes God lives in heaven. He recognizes God is awesome.
• He remembers God's faithfulness. God keeps His covenants. He is faithful.
• He remembers God's attentiveness. He knows God hears him. He knows God sees what's going on.
• He remembers God's forgiveness. He confesses his sin and the sins of the people to God. Would he do so if he didn't trust in God's forgiveness.

Too often, my prayers are simply Dear God, thank You for what You've done for me. Here's my prayer list. Grant me Your blessing. I love You, God. Amen. If I take time to humble myself and to remember the God to whom I am praying, how much richer would my prayers be? How much easier would it be for me to hear His voice? Nehemiah has reminded me. Now I need to remember.