The Prayer of the Longing Soul
“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept and mourned certain days and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven and said, ‘I beseech You, O Lord God of Heaven, the great and terrible God, that keeps covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments: Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open that You may hear the prayer of Your servant, which I pray before You now day and night’. . .”
Nehemiah 1:4-6a
When our prayers rise from the depths of our soul, we should not wonder His response.
“Let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open.”
Such a simple request from Nehemiah’s lips; yet, we should never doubt their effectiveness, for they spring from one with a childlike spirit. Too often we try to impress the Lord with our flowery—yea, superfluous—words, forgetting that such praying is odious to Him.
Nehemiah’s prayer sprang from great agony of soul and anguish of mind over the dismal conditions that still existed in his beloved Jerusalem. The first group released from Babylonian captivity under Cyrus’ decree had left some 94 years before (538 B.C.); yet, “the wall of Jerusalem was still broken down and the burned-out gates still not replaced” (v.3).
He shouldn’t have been surprised—especially when he learned that Ezra had returned four years before he prayed today’s Manna and discovered “none of the sons of Levi” were even there (Ezra 8:15)! God’s work always suffers when His leaders are negligent in their responsibilities or are just as sinful as those whom they seek to lead.
Regardless, Nehemiah. . .who worked as the official cupbearer/wine-taster for the Persian king, Artaxerxes (2:1). . .was heartbroken over the “great affliction and reproach of the remnant that remained in captivity” (1:3a) and the unfinished wall and gates in Jerusalem.
Do You Hear It?
“And let it be, when you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall bestir yourself—for then shall the Lord go out before you, to smite the host of the Philistines.”
II Samuel 5:24
He’s speaking; are you listening?
“As the sound of a rushing mighty wind.”
That’s what the Holy Spirit’s arrival sounded like on Pentecost that day when He came in power upon those assembled (Acts 2:1-4). Some 120 of Jesus’ closest followers had been closed up together for 10 days, praying and “waiting for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4, 15-26) after Jesus ascended into Heaven.
They didn’t know what that promise was when they assembled—but they did know they should wait for it. And, then, as only God can prescribe and orchestrate, the Holy Spirit showed up. Their responsibility was waiting and praying; His responsibility was/is sending and stirring.
And stir He did.
“As a rushing mighty wind.”
Did the shutters start banging against the wall? Did the doors suddenly blow open with a bang? Did the worshippers, assembled there “with one accord in one place” (2:1) suddenly feel a mighty blast come swooshing through the room like the blustery arrival of hurricane gale-force winds?
We don’t know; but, one thing was clear:
It was unmistakable and life-changing. . .just as “the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees” was unmistakable and reassuring to David and his men as they prepared for war against their fierce nemesis, the Philistines.
Shine On Us by Phillips Craig and Dean With Chords and Lyrics
Shine On Us was originally from Phillips Craig and Dean album. Now, it was revised by various Christian singers. But still, Shine On Us is one of the best devotional songs that I have ever heard.
The video clip below was the AVALON singing Shine On Us. Their version is very close to that of Phillips Craig and Dean. What I like the most with the video is the use of an orchestra, Violin and Piano are such great instruments to play this song.
In addition to this, whenever I hear this song, I cannot help but to pause for a moment of prayer asking God for daily guidance and thanking Him for the salvation that he has freely given.
May this song bless you in your walk in Christ.
On Guilt And Grace
“But the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise of faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
Galatians 3:22
When we realize what we were before and what He’s done for us, how can we keep from “loving Him with all our heart,” going where He leads and doing what He says?
“All under sin.”
That’s the message of today’s Manna: Everyone is guilty. You’re guilty. I’m guilty. ‘Ole Joe, the butcher down the street is guilty. Aunt Sue is guilty. Grandma’s guilty. Your banker is guilty. Your doctor and dentist are guilty.
That’s not a popular or politically correct message.
But, it’s the Truth.
And, until one realizes it—and is convicted by it—there’s no hope.
The Greek word “sugkleio” is used here for “concluded” and means “to shut off together, enclose, boxed in, etc.” It’s the picture of captives herded into a locked room with no possible way of escape. And, like some sadistic captor who delights in others’ misery, the Law points its sharp finger at everyone and says “Guilty as charged!” Its look is stern and its sentence unwavering as the Day of Judgment approaches.
Law and Grace
“Then were assembled unto me everyone that trembled at the words of the God of Israel. . .”
Ezra 9:4a
Because of it, we should never stray far from the Christ and the Cross.
Conviction.
Do you feel it this morning, Pilgrim? Do you, like Jeremiah, feel the “burden of the Lord” (23:33-38) weighing down on you as you ponder His Greatness and agonize over your own wretchedness?
If so, run to Jesus. And, stay there.
The Word is sharp, piercing through the veneer of pretense as it exposes everything that lies within (Heb. 4:12). Like the priest’s sharp knife that split open a penitent worshiper’s sacrifice from the tip of its nose and down its back to the tip of its tail, so does the Holy Spirit use God’s Holy Scalpel to “search our hearts and minds” (Ps. 139:23-24).
At first, it’s for the purpose of conviction of our lost condition. Until we know we’re lost, we feel no need of a Shepherd. Until we know we’re sick, we feel not need of a Physician (Mt. 9:12). But, “when the Commandment comes” (Rom. 7:9), a holy terror grips our soul as we feel the sharp piercing of the “curse of the Law” (Dt. 27:26; Gal. 3:10).
But, thankfully, in that curse there is a Cure.
And, that Cure is Jesus (Gal. 3:11-14). Hallelujah!!
How we should thank God for the Law that helps us know our need of Him (Gal. 3:19-29). Then, we should thank the Father for His Spirit-Word that “convicts us of sin, the need of righteousness and judgment to come” (Jn. 16:8-11). . .for such conviction will hopefully lead to heartfelt repentance and holy consecration (Rom. 12:1-2).
Trembling At the Word
“And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard and sat down astonished. Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel because of the transgression of those that had been carried away. And I sat astonished unto the evening sacrifice.”
Ezra 9:3-4
When we realize what we hold in our hand and Who gave it, we cannot help but do the same.
God’s Holy Word.
What’s that Book you hold in your hand, Pilgrim—the one that says “Holy Bible” or something similar on the outside? Do not spend much time focusing on which version it is—i.e., KJV, RSV, NIV, ASV, Good News, etc.; focus instead upon the fact that the words within were “inspired (Grk. ‘theopneustos’—‘Divinely in-breathed, to breathe hard, a breeze, etc.’) by God and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16-17).
Likewise, do not entertain devilish doubts on the authenticity or accuracy of the manuscripts or the number of times the Book has been translated down through the years; instead, focus on the Truth that the same One Who inspired it is sufficiently able to ensure its preservation.
Simply put, rest in God’s Faithfulness (“Who He is and What He has Promised”).
Then, “be still and know that He is God” (Ps. 46:10).
And, you, too, will begin to “tremble at the words of the God of Israel.”
This is not, as some have accused, “Bibliolatry”—an idolizing or worship of the Word—for we do not worship the Book. But, by faith, we worship the “Word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14), Who led men of old to commit His Message to print by faithfully (and painstakingly) recording what the Spirit said.
FREE Christian Resources: Blessed To Be A Blessing
Blessed To Be A Blessing talks about a life living to become a blessing. God blessed us not only to enrich ourselves but to become a blessing to others.
In this ebook, I tackled about the significance of the word “Give” and other related words in accordance to the Bible. The Bible speaks about lots of things about giving. And sometimes, the only thing that hinders God’s blessing is our unwillingness to be a blessing.
On Seeking the Lord
“Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him the right way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance—for I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken unto the king, saying, ‘The Hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him.’ So, we fasted and besought our God for this—and He was entreated of us.”
Ezra 8:21-23
Too often we grieve the Holy Spirit by turning to substitutes instead of going to the Source.
Ezra knew his was a daunting task. Out of some 2-3 million Jews in Babylonian captivity for 70 years, only 49,897 returned home after Cyrus told them they could (2:64-67). And, when Ezra and 2,000 more returned some 82 years later, they discovered many of those who’d initially returned had fallen away from the Lord.
That’s why he wept and proclaimed a fast. Our sins and others sins should always move us to “afflict (Heb. ‘anah’—‘to look down, humble or abase one’s self, to chasten, lower, deal harshly with, weaken, etc.’) ourselves before our God, to seek of Him the right way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance.” We should never forget the road upwards is always preceded by a downward one.
We can well imagine the anguish of heart Ezra felt when he gathered together the leaders in Jerusalem and “found there none of the sons of Levi” (v.15). Were they not the ones set aside by God to oversee the affairs of God’s work? Where were they?
Sadly, for whatever reason, they were M.I.A. (“Missing-in-Action”).
And, sadly, the same is so often true today for many who claim the Name of Christ.
They walk an aisle, pray a prayer and make a public profession of faith. They’re baptized and join the church. But, soon they are nowhere to be found—making others wonder if they’re simply “professors” and not “possessors.”
Ezra also proclaimed the fast because he was “ashamed to have to turn to the king for help against the enemy.” He knew this would convey the wrong message—i.e., like a beggar or orphan, they needed someone to come to their aid. And, to him—as it should be to us—that was unacceptable.
The Aftermath of The Fall
Today’s story is all about the time when Adam and Eve was driven out of the garden. This includes how God talked to them and gave the due penalty for their sins and then later on, sending them out of the garden to labor.
Text: Genesis 3:8-24
Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
Gen 3:10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
Gen 3:11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
Gen 3:12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
Gen 3:13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Gen 3:14 The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
Gen 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Gen 3:16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”
Gen 3:17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
Gen 3:18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Gen 3:20 The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Gen 3:21 And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
Gen 3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever–”
Gen 3:23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.
Gen 3:24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.