DATE POSTED: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE The Voice (VOICE) IS FOUND IN Nehemiah 13:8-9; 11; 15; 17

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: ⁸ I was livid. In my anger, I threw all of Tobiah’s property out of the room. ⁹ Then I had them purify the rooms and restore what was supposed to be there—the sacred vessels, the grain offerings, and the incense.
¹¹ I went straight to the leaders responsible for this and confronted them, asking, “Why are you neglecting God’s temple?”…..
¹⁵ At that same time, I looked around Judah and saw men working the winepresses on the Sabbath. Others I found bringing large loads of grain to be loaded on donkeys. Wine, grapes, figs—they brought every kind of load into Jerusalem on the Sabbath no matter the season. I warned them about selling food on the Sabbath, just as they were doing it.
¹⁷ I confronted the leaders of Judah, whom I held responsible for the public’s actions. Why are you doing what you know is wicked? You are desecrating the Sabbath!

MY INITIAL THOUGHTS: As you meditate on this devotional today you might be surprised at all of the challenges that Nehemiah dealt with when he returned home to Jerusalem. You might even stand aghast at all that was taking place in Jerusalem, and in particular – in the temple. But then I hope that this will cause you to look at your own city, and your own church and compare all actions and crimes against the teachings God placed in His Word for us to follow. Who is the ‘Nehemiah’ that will be bold enough to stand firm for the things of God? Is it you?

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: It seems like we tend to turn away from older people who talk about the ‘good old days’ and their stories about the discipline and values that families adhered to back in their day. When we read accounts, such as this one in the book of Nehemiah, we are quickly reminded that God has been dealing with a sinful and unjust people from the very beginning of time. But dear friends, each of us have a choice to make about what our individual role will be, and also what we will do with Jesus. God provided His book of instruction – the Bible, for our benefit. Some countries, such as ours, decided to get it out of the public school system, because it was interfering with the free will of our students. Why, they should be allowed to do what they want, where they want to, and for as long as they choose to. Let me encourage you to gain enough courage to watch the evening news for a week, and try to alternate between different network channels, because opinions of the reporters are very much a part of what they will report on, and what they will choose to ignore or overlook. Let me warn you that you may become very disheartened over the crime, disrespect, anger, and actions of those who have gone through our free-reeling and Bible-less school system. Our ancestors talk about the very strict rules they insisted upon in God’s church and around church-sponsored events, but a visit to almost any church today will quickly reveal that things have changed dramatically. After spending time in our Bible today in Nehemiah chapter 13, will you join me around the throne and allow God to open our eyes to what He might want ‘Nehemiah’ to change, correct, or expose in our churches so that God might once again be glorified in His sanctuary – our churches? Because we have allowed God’s Word to be watered down, and we accept, without personal research or reasoning, the various explanations of what God could have meant by what He said, it seems like we have become a church where almost anything is accepted and allowed. Is there any wonder that when walking into a public setting that it is virtually impossible to identify God’s people versus Satan’s followers? Are you the ‘Nehemiah’ in your household? Your workplace? Your non-profit organization? Your church? and/or your community? Without your word from God, these ones will continue to push Satan’s agenda, and possibly without opposition from any of God’s children among their audience. To know God’s laws and His commands and to allow life to go on without your input on the way God demands, may very well be considered sin in God’s eyes. Your evaluation on Judgment Day may reveal your missed opportunities!

BLESSINGS WORTH NOTING: To know right from wrong, and be willing to speak up, and stand up as God’s representative, will show the world that God’s Word is applicable and sustainable even through the very odd and sinful times that we find ourselves in. Standing up for God and His commands may put you at odds with family, friends, coworkers and church leaders, but let’s always remember that ‘only what’s done for Jesus will last, and be recognized by God as holy’.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, I believe that it is always a pleasure to see Your people agree, and to work together for the good of the Gospel. But please give us wisdom to speak up, and stand up, for those things that may serve to compromise Your Word, Your commands and Your holy image. Lord, as Your personal representative, we want it to be obvious to those that we interact with that Jesus is actively involved in our decision making and in guiding us towards godly truth in all that we say and do. People still need the Lord, and they need to see You so much a part of our lives, as Christians, that they will know that our God lives, for they see You evident in and through us. Nehemiah didn’t have to wait for a word from his pastor, or for a committee to meet and give approval to him. He saw wrongdoing, and because he knew the Word of God, he went forward as Your representative to correct the wrongs. Oh, that we may be as close to You as Nehemiah was, and bold as he was to carry out what He knew would please You, even if some may have rejected him or accused him of taking things into his own hands. May it be obvious to all that we associate with that You rule and reign in our lives, and that we will stand up for what we know that You will want in every situation. Lord, we want You to be lifted up, without the need for others to be distracted by our boldness in sharing Your Word and standing firm for what we know You want from us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!