April 11th, 2026
Scripture – “They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness. “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.”
Nehemiah 9:25-27
Observation – Nehemiah was providing a brief history to the Israelites showing them the pattern of their relationship with God. They would obey God, he would bless them and they were able to enjoy God’s goodness. Then they would revel in God’s blessing, forget him, rebel against him and turn their back on his law. God would deliver them into the hands of their enemies, they would humble themselves and cry out to God who, in his great compassion, would rescue them from their enemies.
Application – When you ask God to answer your prayers and bless the work of your hands do you praise him when he answers these prayers and blesses you or do you forget him and run off and revel in his goodness? If you spend less time with God when he is blessing you, which I think most Christians do, you have to ask yourself the question; “Do I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength or do I love his gifts more?”
Prayer – Lord Jesus, you are our shield and our very great reward, give us hearts that seek to please you, obey you and spend time with you so that our efforts and affections aren’t wasted on temporary things that will be burned by fire. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 