Wrong Chapter, Right Message

It was clear that instead of reflecting on past events, God wanted me to focus on the present. I had recently been struggling to find my way spiritually, leaving my beloved Bible mostly unopened. But the words of Nehemiah encouraged me.

While preparing this devotional, I initially planned to write about a memorable experience from my past using verses from Nehemiah chapter 10. When I realized I had actually been assigned chapters 7–9, I knew I would have to brainstorm again. I immediately thought of Proverbs 16:9 (NIV):

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

In chapter 8, the people of Jerusalem urged Ezra to read aloud from the Book of the Law of Moses. He did so while standing on a high wooden platform that was built for that occasion. When Ezra opened the book, the people stood. Ezra and the people then praised and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told the people not to mourn or weep as they looked back on the years when they had put aside the public reading of Scripture and turned away from the Lord. Although their neglect and sins led to judgement, suffering, and deportment to Babylon, they were later cleansed by the Word that was spoken.

Nehemiah told them: “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Instead of focusing on my past sins, failures, or even successes, God shifted my perspective from looking back to looking forward. With the rather ironic twist of my assignment, I realized that the Lord was pulling me out of my discouragement and into a place of renewal.

While writing this devotional article, I received a text from my daughter with this encouraging promise from Isaiah 43:18-19:

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

When I look at my Bible today, which I keep on a tall armoire behind my reading chair, I imagine Ezra reading from a high platform to God’s people. Like them, I am hungry again for His Word and hopeful for what is to come.

You might be young in the faith, have many years of walking on the path, or perhaps you have yet to begin the journey.

If you’ve noticed that your desire for the Word is cool, cold or lukewarm—for a day or even for a season, the Spirit of God is asking you to acknowledge this and take steps as the people did in Nehemiah. He will help you regain the hunger and thirst for the Word to be confident in your daily walk.

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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION^®, NIV^® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.