DAY 268 Read Nehemiah 11:15 through chapter 15.
Today's Reading: Chapters 11 and 12 carry through to the final ceremonies dedicating the wall. Then a gap of unknown duration occurs. In verse 6 of chapter 13 we learn that Nehemiah left Jerusalem for "certain days." On his return he found it necessary to take strong measures again in rooting out evil practices.
Memory gem: "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God" (Nehemiah 13:14).
Thought for today:
"In the work of reform to be carried forward today, there is need of men who, like Ezra and Nehemiah, will not palliate or excuse sin, nor shrink from vindicating the honor of God. Those upon whom rests the burden of this work, will not hold their peace when wrong is done, neither will they cover evil with a cloak of false charity. They will remember that God is no respecter of persons, and that severity to a few may prove mercy to many. They will remember also that in the one who rebukes evil, the spirit of Christ should ever be revealed.
"In their work, Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins and the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered. That which made their work most difficult was not the open hostility of the heathen, but the secret opposition of pretended friends, who, by lending their influence to the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden of God's servants. These traitors furnished the Lord's enemies with material to use in their warfare upon His people. Their evil passions and rebellious wills were ever at war with the plain requirements of God.
"The success attending Nehemiah's efforts shows what prayer, faith, and wise, energetic action will accomplish."--Prophets and Kings, p. 675.
NOTE: Nehemiah's twelve-year term as governor ended in 432 B.C. He probably returned in about 425 B.C. (The same date is usually assigned to Malachi's prophecy.)
Today's Reading: Chapters 11 and 12 carry through to the final ceremonies dedicating the wall. Then a gap of unknown duration occurs. In verse 6 of chapter 13 we learn that Nehemiah left Jerusalem for "certain days." On his return he found it necessary to take strong measures again in rooting out evil practices.
Memory gem: "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God" (Nehemiah 13:14).
Thought for today:
"In the work of reform to be carried forward today, there is need of men who, like Ezra and Nehemiah, will not palliate or excuse sin, nor shrink from vindicating the honor of God. Those upon whom rests the burden of this work, will not hold their peace when wrong is done, neither will they cover evil with a cloak of false charity. They will remember that God is no respecter of persons, and that severity to a few may prove mercy to many. They will remember also that in the one who rebukes evil, the spirit of Christ should ever be revealed.
"In their work, Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins and the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered. That which made their work most difficult was not the open hostility of the heathen, but the secret opposition of pretended friends, who, by lending their influence to the service of evil, increased tenfold the burden of God's servants. These traitors furnished the Lord's enemies with material to use in their warfare upon His people. Their evil passions and rebellious wills were ever at war with the plain requirements of God.
"The success attending Nehemiah's efforts shows what prayer, faith, and wise, energetic action will accomplish."--Prophets and Kings, p. 675.
NOTE: Nehemiah's twelve-year term as governor ended in 432 B.C. He probably returned in about 425 B.C. (The same date is usually assigned to Malachi's prophecy.)
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