The walls had been
rebuilt. Now, they were “dedicated” to God (Nehemiah 12:27). Was a time
of great joy (Nehemiah 12:27,43). The people of God sand “songs of
praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). As well as singing
praise to God, the Lord’s people listened to His Word (Nehemiah 13:1).
Sometimes, after happy times among God’s people, there can be a time of
decline - “Why is God’s Temple being neglected?” (Nehemiah 13:11). We
must not live in the past. Our walk with God must continue. There must
be an ongoing fellowship with the Lord. If there is to be a closer walk
with God, we must always remember that this is not our own doing. It is
the loving kindness of God, reaching out to us: “Remember Me ... My God
... Since You are very kind” (Nehemiah 13:22). His kindness brings
blessing into our lives: “Remember me, my God, for my benefit” (Nehemiah
13:31).
We read about Elijah in his high-points of strength - the triumph over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) - and his low-points of weakness - he is ready to give up: “I’ve had enough now, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). How did Elijah get into such a mess? He forgot this: “The Lord’s power was on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46). In all life’s ups and downs, we must hold on to this: The Lord has sent His Spirit of power to live in us (2 Timothy 1:7). How are we to live in the power of the Spirit? We need to feed on the Word of God and drink in the Word of God (1 Kings 17:4). We need to pray that the Lord will send His showers of blessing (1 Kings 17:14). We are to live our life “according to the Word of the Lord” (1 Kings 17:16). For our life of faith to be strong in the Lord, we need to listen attentively to the preaching of God’s Word (1 Kings 17:24).
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