Wednesday is for being challenged!

My view of God

 

I guess God is not through with Nehemiah in my life. It keeps challenging my views. This time it challenges the way I view and approach God.   As some of the books in the Bible do, Nehemiah ends on note that leaves the reader saying…so what happened next?  The last few words of Nehemiah seemed really odd to me at first.

 

The last chapter tells that Nehemiah left Jerusalem, went back to Susa to work for the king then returned to Jerusalem.  Nehemiah found a few things in disarray and set them straight.  He cleansed the temple and reprimanded the leaders.  We know how rebellious Israel was and how they repeatedly turned to God then turned away.  Then they repented and followed God again.  I think the last few verses show Nehemiah's frustration, our human reaction to Israel's choices.  Nehemiah did so much to restore the walls, to rebuild Jerusalem, to reunite the people in their beloved city.  He gave so much of himself for them. He goes back to Susa for a while and ….and what?  The people so quickly cease to obey God.  Like Moses and other prophets in the Bible led by God to guide the people, there comes a time when enough is enough.  The prophet cries out to God to hold the people accountable.

 

"Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites."  Wow, what an indictment and request.  He didn't ask God to forgive them, correct them or punish them.  He asked God to remember them because of their disobedience.  I think I've talked before about our attitude towards our enemies or those we hope God judges.  Add this verse to that topic. 

 

The Bible gives us many examples of behavior- godly and not.  This prayer of Nehemiah speaking to God about anger at the people sounds a lot like some of the prayers of Moses.  This is not the kind of prayer I would instruct my children to pray about a mean kid at school.  I'd probably tell my child he is wrong for doing this…that's frequently the parenting technique I use.  It gets great results.  I'd say they shouldn't pray for that & God surely won't answer that prayer.  At first glance I say Nehemiah's prayer is not an example of the "right" kind of prayer …..but what does that mean?  We should be honest with God, in a reverent manner.  If we cannot speak honestly, openly to God then there is no one to whom we can go.  I don't think God is going to answer by doing what was petitioned.  God is forgiving.  I think we can pray for judgment but we better pray for mercy and repentance at the same time.  Try to balance that one out.  Nehemiah asks God to remember the people because of their sin then he tells how he helped fix the situation.  The very last phrase of verse 31, the very last phrase of the book is what gets me.

 

"Remember me, O my God, for good."

 

It sounds like Nehemiah views God as a judgmental, almost vengeful God.  I wonder how much of that was due to his aggravation and frustration with the people of Israel and because of the judgment he feared God was bringing on them.  It almost sounds like Nehemiah is pleading for mercy.  I immediately thought of my view of God being so different.  I realized an element of my worship is often missing – honoring the holiness of God, living in awe of Him.  He is a powerful, majestic, awe-ful God.  Yes, God loves us.  Yes, God cares for and takes care of us.  He pursues and desires our worship.  But I think, sometimes, we are too willing and ready to call Him our friend without the balance of who He really is.  Everywhere, and yes I mean everywhere, we hear wrong views of God espoused – some totally unbiblical.  We have to be careful our view of God is biblical.  That, my friends, is why we must be in the Word daily- so that we, like our car after 50,000 miles, can get a realignment. 

 

I want to study of the prayers of Nehemiah to see the things he asked of God, how he addressed God, his attitude in prayer.  He obviously listened to and obeyed.  God used him mightily.  I want that in my life.  Not to be famous but to be used by God.  There is no greater joy.  There very thought is unbelievable…. God would use me to bring about His will?

 

Live ready to lead,

Philip Buford

 

Thanks for today's blog posting to - Philip Buford

Thanks,

Gary

gkendall@KendallSystems.com
www.KendallSystems.com
972-488-0009
"While it is hard to motivate someone with no Vision, it is almost
impossible to stop someone with a Vision." - gary kendall

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