Revival!

Nehemiah 9

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Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God. 4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. 35 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: 37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. 38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

Nehemiah 9:1-6, 34-38

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First, let me start by saying, READ THE WHOLE CHAPTER! Some have said that my devotions are too long already, so I only include part of the text from the chapters I write on. However, this chapter is good, and you are reading the whole message preached. 38 verses doesn't take a long time to read anyway.

Now, yesterday we read about how the law was read to the people, and the people stood during the reading of the law. They also participated in the service. Today, we read that the law continued to be read before the children of Israel. Day after day the read and taught. We see also that they were assembled in sack cloth and ashes. Today, we might think of this like wearing all black to a funeral (although this like sack cloth and ashes is almost a thing of this past). The people went with broken hearts and wanting to learn more about God. They had violated his law, and only knowing and obeying his law could remedy the continuance of their sinful behavior (I'm not talking about justification but sanctification - we don't earn salvation by actions).

In verse two, we see again this idea of separation from the strangers. Though not always applied that way, "strangers" had less to do with race/ethnicity/nationality and more to do with religion. Take for instance Ruth and Rahab. Both of these were ethnically strangers, but chose to serve God and were admitted into the Jewish society and religion. Separation was for those who rejected the Word of God. However, separation does not mean isolation. We live among the world as a witness, but not so closely as to be influenced by them. Things like marriage and business partnerships should be where we draw the line because of our commitment to those with whom we are to be separate. Otherwise, we end up "unequally yoked" (II Corinthians 6:14).

Verse three is amazing! For three hours a day they listened to the reading of the law. Then, for three more hours, they confessed their sins and worshiped God. Can you imagine a "Revival Service" like that. I used to hear my grandparents talk about 2-3 week long revivals when they would leave the fields in the morning to go to revival services, then go back at night for another service. Many people don't like going to church twice a day on Sunday, let alone twice a day, everyday, for two or three weeks! But, that seems like a surefire recipe for repentance and revival.

Verses 5 and 6 tell us about the beginning of the worship service that was taking place. There were leaders and there was acknowledgement of the greatness of God. The leaders led the people in knowing and speaking about the greatness of God. If our pastors and leaders do not talk about how great God is, then why would the congregation? While we often mouth the words "How Great Thou Art", are we actually in "awesome wonder"? I can honestly say, far too often I am not and have to be brought back to that place of reverence and awe of God.

Finally, after a long recitation of God working throughout their history, their is a commitment. Before I get to the commitment, lets talk about the recitation of history. I did not meant to sound flippant about it. This was very important! The leaders reminded the people of God's continued involvement in their history to shame them and encourage them. Shame because over and over again, the Jews had rebelled against God. Even now, after coming out of captivity, they were still violating God's law. Encouragement because God had never abandoned them, or given up on them. He had blessed and he had chastised, but never abandoned. Even today, God's hand is still on the Jews. Though we are in the church age, and the church is leading in the sharing of God's word, he still will not let their enemies have their way with them. He is protecting them, and preparing them to become the evangelists in the tribulation.

Now, back to the commitment. Commitment is vitally important in revival. To be a Christian, one must commit his or her life to Christ. That is the only way to be a disciple. The only way to be "Christ-like" is to commit your life to Christ. The leaders led in this as well. Part of the problem of the Jews was that so many leaders had led them away from God. Now, the leaders were setting the example, and the people were following.

Father, help me to be a committed leader. Strengthen me to stand before your people and lead them in what I have already committed to in my own heart and life. May I stand before them in awe of who you are, and worship the creator of the universe, and the Savior of my soul. Should I lose sight, draw me back to you.