December 20
“And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:16 ESV
Rebuilding after loss is hard whether you have lost a loved one, lost a career, or lost your homeland (like we read in our last two devotionals). There are lessons to learn, choices to make, and a need for a plan. God’s people do just that in Nehemiah—they rebuild with the Word and a new promise.
After years in exile, the people of Israel and Judah are back in Jerusalem. They first need to construct a new wall around the city. Despite criticism and sabotage, they manage to build the wall in spectacular fashion.
When the wall was completed, the plan was to bring the people back to an understanding of their covenant relationship with God. Nehemiah and Ezra, along with the Levites, read the Law publicly. The people were grieved in the knowledge of their holy God and how they had broken his commandments. But they are told “do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Though the sorrow and grief of sin was a positive response from the people, there was great joy to be had because the Mosaic Law was once again going to be an essential part of everyday life. They celebrated and then wrote a covenant to proclaim that they were once again going to keep the LORD’s rules and his statutes.
Today we can appreciate this story because we too are we given a second chance to put our lives in right relationship with the LORD, and because God never fails to fulfill his covenant with us. The people of Nehemiah’s day were still waiting for the better covenant the LORD promised in Jeremiah—the one that would write the law on the hearts of man. But he fulfilled that promise when Jesus came to us a baby, died for our sins, rose again after three days before being resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father. He alone can renew our hearts, so rejoice with us this Advent!
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, thank you for being faithful to remember your promises. I rejoice in the rebuilding and renewal that comes through belief in your son, Jesus. Fill me with joy this Advent when I remember that you are my shield and my strength. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
