Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 13:15-22 (day five)  

What was it that caused Nehemiah to have “spiritual eyes” (all throughout this book)? – Seeing and perceiving not simply the actions of the people, but the spiritual danger and destruction of such actions (2 Kings 6:17, Ephesians 1:18). His concern/burden for the Israelites was more about who they were becoming than what they were doing. Worship mattered more than walls. Their hearts mattered most. (See verse 31- Thus I purified them…)

So, back to the original question. 2 Things: 1- The reality of God’s wise and powerful presence as evidenced in an intimate relationship between Nehemiah and the Lord, through prayer (4 times in chapter 13). 2- Nehemiah’s affinity and affection for God’s Word- He heard God’s voice through God’s word.

May our conviction for God’s presence and God’s Word give us the clarity and courage to see, love, lead, and serve like Nehemiah.

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 12:40-47 (day five)

This is one of my favorite pictures of worship found in the scriptures. It shows the complexity and completeness of worship. There is preparation. There is precision. There is order. There is energy. There is joy. There is awe. In their dedication to God, the people see God at work- in the secular (building a wall) and in the sacred (God’s guidance and provision). They are reminded of and find the deeper meaning and appreciation for the purpose and character of God- restoration and reconciliation. Jerusalem is beginning to become the city of God again – not just in the geography, but in the people. Hearts are stirred. God is glorified. There is a beautiful balance between the “moment” and the “mission”, as the people are committed to singing, shouting, praising, and serving. May our worship cause us to both sing with joy and serve with passion!!

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 10:28-30 (day five)

Did you notice in verse 29 who all were included in this covenant agreement?  At first glance my answer was everybody.  But that is the point, EVERYBODY- to include the nobles. Remember chapter 5?  We see those same nobles (who were persecuting and oppressing the people) now a part of the community.  The same nobles who were not willing to work or serve are now in community soon to be covenant community.  What happened?  What caused this change of heart in the Israelites who were “crying out” earlier to the injustice caused by these nobles, to now seemingly have them be a part of this accountability through a covenant?  The answer is repentance- true repentance.  There was an acknowledgement by the nobles, (confession) of their sin, then there was restoration and reversal (a sure sign of repentance).  But also notice the grace and courage exhibited by the people.  There was opportunity and invitation extended to join and finish the wall, build a nation, and restore relationships.  That’s a testimony to the Living God who redeems, restores, and renews (everybody)!!

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬

“While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day;”

Now that the Israelites have finished working on the wall, God has begun working on them. Have you noticed how much and how often the scriptures are being read and taught?  Have you also considered that God’s Word is accurately accomplishing its plan and purpose?  It is a lamp and light, and it is also a sword (Hebrews) and a mirror (James). There is an intense tension as the scriptures reveal a loving and holy God as well as a finite and flawed people. The scriptures guide, guard, and grieve the human heart. The scriptures also reveal the glory and goodness of God- for the purpose of redemption and renewal. “Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?”
May the scriptures do that work in us as we read, study, pray, confess, and worship!!

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 8:9-12 (day five)

Have you ever sung this VBS song?
“I’ve got joy, down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart.
J-O-Y down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart.
(Where’s it come from?) Jesus put it there, and nothing can destroy it, stroy it, stroy it.
I’ve got joy, down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart.”

I’ve led this song on guitar no less than a thousand times.

In actuality, the song asks a very deep and meaningful question. “Where’s it come from?“ The song quickly answers the question with a significant truth. “Jesus put it there.” Yes, as believers we do have joy. But left to our own strength, effort, and energy, we cannot produce it. Just like His other gifts and provisions, we must steward God’s joy.  The joy OF THE LORD (my emphasis) is your strength. This is what the people in our Re:Verse text were promised and experienced. God’s joy and His strength. Make no mistake, it is His, it comes only from Him. Same for us today. See John 15:11. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”  (Blog for another time- the connection between God’s Word and joy).

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 6:10-19 (day five) “And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”  Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him. Nehemiah discerns that this is a trap and a lie. But how?  What led to this understanding?  It’s really simple, Nehemiah knew the scriptures. He knew his Bible. He knows that only Priests and Temple attendants can go into the Temple building itself. He is allowed into the courts, but no further.  The scriptures are indeed a light and lamp to us. They are also a guard just as much as a guide. Reading and studying the scriptures daily/regularly produces fruit and also protects us. Another facet of God’s wisdom in giving us the scriptures.

“How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord.

How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”
Psalm 119‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭9‬, ‭11

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 5:6-13 (day five) Nehemiah being a good leader, is a good listener. This kind of listening is not just good leadership, it indicates sincere love. He hears their voices but also hears their hearts. I like the honesty and transparency of the scriptures. Nehemiah becomes angry. Yet he doesn’t react in anger. There is another needed course of action. What is required is not a reaction, but a response. (I consulted with myself). He pauses. He remembers the scriptures. He calls for repentance. Nehemiah understood and is now demonstrating that these are not just social issues, but gospel issues. There is a reliance on the scriptures and a call to repentance. “As Christians we know that it is the gospel that transforms people. It transforms the inside of them in such a powerful way that it changes and challenges, even the most difficult circumstance. There’s no issue anywhere that God cannot invade and transform through his power.” His response reflects both justice and love.

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 4:1-8 (day five)  Work on the wall has started. The mentioned people and families are following God’s plan and purpose. Now comes criticism, mocking, anger, distraction, questioning, and persecution. Probably should have expected it. We know to expect it from Jesus teachings- see John‬ ‭15‬. Yet verse six says in the midst of all the opposition and noise, “So we built the wall”.

I like Jerry Bridges’ thoughts on the preeminence of obedience in the life of the believer- how faithfulness is to be desired over success.  It really gives clarity to the focus and desires of the heart. Am I first and foremost desiring to please and honor God with all I am and all I do?  (See Colossians 3:22) Even at the cost of personal awards and rewards?

“God wants us to walk in obedience – not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This may seem to be merely splitting hairs over semantics, but there’s a subtle, self-centered attitude at the root… Until we deal with this attitude, we won’t consistently walk in holiness.”- Jerry Bridges

Re:Verse passage – Nehemiah 3:1-5 (day five)  I wonder how Nehemiah reacted when the wall actually started getting rebuilt. He had prayed and planned. He had shared his heart with many. He had faced real opposition (where we last read in chapter 2). He had sensed the Lord’s leading and provision. He kept believing and trusting. Did he ever doubt?  Did he ever question?  Was he anxious or discouraged?  Was there an underlying sense of hope and courage in the midst of it all?

Then in chapter 3, it actually started happening. Little by little and space by space… progress. God was moving and working in the hearts of people to accomplish His plan and purpose. There was work. There was community. There was unity. There was diversity. There was worship. There was joy and celebration. And there was opposition. Sounds like missions and ministry, doesn’t it?  Let’s get to work!  Let’s join in too (to what God’s doing in and thru our church). Let’s serve others, share faith, work, and worship!!  Let’s build God’s Kingdom through His Church.