The Finished Work of Christ

This morning, I had the privilege of attending a Women's Bible Study and Breakfast. The topic was built on Nehemiah 1 and 2: God calling us to rebuild walls in our lives. It spoke of how Nehemiah responded to the news that the walls in Judah had been torn down. First of all, he went to God about the issue with prayer and fasting.

King Artaxerxes, king of Persia, noticed Nehemiah was downcast and inquired what was wrong. The wine-taster explained that the condition of Judah saddened him and asked if he could go to help rebuild it. God gave Nehemiah an affirmation. That affirmation was shared with those who would rebuild, and they joined in accepting the work. They recognized that God would make them successful.

It is so important that we keep God in focus. In Nehemiah's prayer, he reminded God of His character. He stated that the Lord had promised Moses that the people of Israel would be restored to the land when they repented. In his prayer, Nehemiah confessed that he and the people had gone astray; he was interceding for himself and his people. What a blessing God has given His children: when we repent, we are not cast off. First John 1:9 reminds us of His faithfulness and mercy.

This week, let us make ourselves right when the Spirit leads. We can be encouraged that our hardships and discipline only last for a little while, and they result in our becoming stronger. Blessing Offor sings of this hope in "Brighter Days." What an encouragement that the difficult times in our bodies and on Earth will not go on forever.

Let us seek Jesus to help rebuild our walls. Because we have Him, we will never be left torn down. God bless as we seek His face!