What does it mean to you to serve the Lord? If you were to write out a covenant describing a life that is fully committed to the Lord, what would you include? Today’s read of Nehemiah 8-10 provides a practical template for our own obligations as God’s people. The Israelites come together and sign a …
Read-Through-The-Bible [10.10.19]
Nehemiah 7 and 11-12 are mostly comprised of lists of names. Jerusalem’s walls and gates have been rebuilt, but as Nehemiah looks around at the city, he realizes that far too few people live there to maintain and protect it. God puts it on his heart to order a census of all the exiles that …
Read-Through-The-Bible [10.09.19]
Today we continue in Nehemiah (chapters 4-6). As the wall takes shape, Israel’s enemies grow more and more angry that they dare to rebuild. They set out to keep the people from succeeding. At this point, we know that Israel had no intention of revolting against their rulers, nor of conquering any more surrounding …
Read-Through-The-Bible [10.08.19]
Today we begin the book of Nehemiah (chapters 1-4), one of the most exciting and practical books in the Old Testament. There are so many lessons in Nehemiah’s story they practically write themselves! It is an excellent read if you are discouraged in the work God has called you to do. And aren’t we all …
Read-Through-The-Bible [10.07.19]
Today we finish up the book of Ezra; it doesn’t end on a high note. Ezra learns that in the years since the first exiles returned, they have foolishly fallen back to their old ways. They have taken wives from the nations surrounding them, in direct disobedience to God’s commands. He is especially distraught to …