“We will not neglect the house of our God.” (Nehemiah 10:39b ESV) After rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls under Nehemiah’s leadership, the people experienced a revival of worship and obedience. They listened to God’s Word read by Ezra, confessed their sins, and entered into a written covenant to live faithfully. This vow—“We will not neglect the house
Chapter: 10
WHOLEHEARTED DEVOTION TO GOD
Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law (Ezra 10:3 ESV). After Ezra discovered that many of the
WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 ESV). Psalm 10 began with a cry of confusion and anguish. The psalmist felt abandoned by God in the midst of trouble. The wicked seemed to prosper while the righteous suffer, and God’s justice appeared delayed.
PARTIAL OBEDIENCE IS STILL DISOBEDIENCE
“Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.” (2 Kings 10:28–29 ESV) Jehu had been chosen by God to bring judgment on the house
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14–15 ESV). Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd, setting Himself apart from the unfaithful leaders of Israel who failed to
DO YOU HAVE A STUBBORN HEART?
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deuteronomy 10:16 ESV). God commanded Israel to circumcise their hearts, removing stubbornness and fully devoting themselves to Him. Physical circumcision was a sign of the covenant, but God desired more than an external mark—He wanted a transformed heart. To “circumcise the heart” means
PRAY SPECIFIC PRAYERS
‘And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”’ (Mark 10:51 ESV). Have you ever hesitated to ask God for something specific, thinking He already knows your need? Yet, throughout Scripture, we see God inviting His people
FAITH LIKE A LITTLE CHILD
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15 ESV). People were bringing their children to Jesus to be blessed by Him. But the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus noticed, He became indignant and told them to let the little children come
LETTING THE SPIRIT SPEAK THROUGH YOU
“Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20 ESV). When Jesus sent His disciples out as
A SWEET AND SOUR WORD
‘So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”’ (Revelation 10:9 ESV). In John’s vision, he was given a scroll to “eat,” just as