“‘If you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’”
Nehemiah 1:8-9
Just as Adam’s sin earned his exile from Eden, Israel’s sin earned her exile from the Promised Land. The Israelites’ behavior often warrants a frustrated sigh when we read of it. Throughout history, God’s people have shown their unworthiness for an earthly promised land, let alone a heavenly one!
Nehemiah knew that God’s people had proven faithless and deserved exile—how then could they return to God and keep His commandments? Remember that God keeps His covenant with His people (v. 5). In the face of our faithlessness, He would prove faithful to His own promises by sending His Son to be faithful on our behalf, to bear the pains of our exile, and to purchase our return by His own blood.
Just as God’s people had once been redeemed by God’s great power and strong hand (v. 10), so are we redeemed. There is incredible joy in knowing that though we come to God empty-handed, it is His hand that carries us to Himself through the accomplished work of Jesus and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. He will never let us go (see John 10:28).
Nehemiah knew that God’s people had proven faithless and deserved exile—how then could they return to God and keep His commandments? Remember that God keeps His covenant with His people (v. 5). In the face of our faithlessness, He would prove faithful to His own promises by sending His Son to be faithful on our behalf, to bear the pains of our exile, and to purchase our return by His own blood.
Just as God’s people had once been redeemed by God’s great power and strong hand (v. 10), so are we redeemed. There is incredible joy in knowing that though we come to God empty-handed, it is His hand that carries us to Himself through the accomplished work of Jesus and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. He will never let us go (see John 10:28).
Scripture Focus
Nehemiah 1:8-11
Insight
Call upon the Lord. He will faithfully hold you byHis great power and strong hand, and no one can snatch you from Him.
Bible In A Year
- 1 Samuel 9-10
- Psalm 124
- 2 Corinthians 2-3
