Day 226

Nehemiah 7:61-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12

Reading. Revival. Roofs. Repentance. Recounting.

Nehemiah and the Jews return to Jerusalem from exile with broken lives, to find a broken wall. Nehemiah organizes the rebuilding of the now-completed wall; Ezra brings renovation to broken spiritual lives.

Today’s passage begins with the family records of those who have returned to Jerusalem. Then Nehemiah gathers the people and has Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses. This Reading of the law caused the people to weep. Nehemiah tells the people, “For this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” They rejoiced and Revival breaks forth, because they understood the words that were declared to them. The Feast of the Tabernacles is the seven day festival in Jerusalem celebrating the completion of the harvest for which the people made Roofs to dwell under. A couple of days later the reading of the law led the people to confession and Repentance of their sins. The Levites said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting,” and then recited a Recounting of the past deeds God had done in their lives.

This is an important set of components for building our ever-deepening relationship with God and each other. Reading of Holy Scripture gives us moral, ethical, and spiritual guidance, which leads us to Revival as the Holy Spirit gives life to God’s word. Abiding with God under His Roof helps us remember His provision, protection, and covering. Confession, and Repentance is the result of spending time with the Lord, abiding with Him in prayer, Bible study, and worship. Recounting God’s love, grace, and mercy makes our relationship with God grow.

The Rev. James Brzezinski