Word of God speak...

The title is meant to make the words that I write what God wants written and nothing more. I love the song by MercyMe and it inspired me to title it that way. So...this morning I have been reading in Nehemiah, chapters 8, 9 and 10. Wow - can I just say that God is amazing through everything and every situation, He is right there and amazing!

In this book, Nehemiah is sent to Jerusalem to help the Israelites become a people of God again. Nehemiah found so much brokenness he gathered the people around Ezra to hear him reading the Law of the Lord. God gave Moses these laws in the desert when they were traveling toward the Promised Land. Israel had come under rulers and kings because of their forefathers cry while in the desert. God gave them what they wanted, but they were still under oppression and distress. While Ezra is reading the Law for the people from morning til noon every day, they started to understand what God was requiring of them. Because Ezra knew and understood the Law, it was easier for the Israelites to understand.

Let me stop here for a second, I think this is an important point for our world today. A lot of people don't like going to church because someone else is teaching them God's word. I believe God appoints preachers and teachers of God's word because we don't understand all of it. We haven't had the training and time alone with God to understand all of it. The key is to always study it for yourself and test what you hear by the Word of God. But we need to trust at some point that the people put in charge of pastoring us or teaching us are worthy to do so because God says so. I think a sign of a great teacher or preacher is someone who is constantly giving God the glory. If someone is talking about themselves and how great they are, I believe they do not have the right focus. They may love the Lord, and want to teach or preach, but God probably has not called them to do so at that time.

Okay, now that we have discussed that point, I want to get back to Nehemiah. As Ezra is reading the Law to everyone, the Israelites start understanding and practicing what it says. They start obeying the Lord. At one point they all started crying, I am sure because they realized how blind they had been, not that I would know ;), and were ashamed. Because of this they cried out to the Lord. Ezra and Nehemiah told them this was not necessary, that it was to be a time of rejoicing and praising God. "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Ch. 8:10b Nehemiah and Ezra instructed them to go and eat with each other and be merry, while at the same time bringing food to people who could not make their own. This was the feast of Tabernacles which a different post :)

The point you may ask? Well, what I was touched with was Nehemiah. After the feasting on the 24th day of the month, Nehemiah, Ezra and all the Levites, got up and started praising God. And the prayer that came next is what rocked my world. They started talking about everything God had done before that day.

"You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take." Nehemiah 9:11,12.

Wow!! that's amazing! So God delivered them from a terrible oppressor, Pharaoh, took them to a desert where the only way across was a huge sea that you couldn't see past. God parted the sea, and not only did they pass through unharmed, but he closed the sea on their enemies. Wow! Then God takes them through the desert where he becomes a cloud by day and a fire by night so they can see where they are going and have shelter 24 hours a day. And if you think God stops there, it doesn't happen. He provides Manna, a type of bread, for them every morning! They have freshed baked bread on the ground every morning. Nice. (if you want more on this, look to my other posts)

So here they are in Jerusalem, Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites praising God for all He has done for His people. They continue to say their forefathers complained against YOU, they created idols and worshiped them, yet You still forgave them, You still had compassion on them. I need some of that compassion, don't you ? The most amazing praise I have seen in the Bible is in these chapters. They praise God over and over for His miracles and wonders, even though they rejected Him, offended Him, and complained to Him. He still sustained them! He still had compassion on them every time they cried out to Him! Wow - thank you LORD!

I think this is such a great testimony to who God is. He is the everlasting Lord, He is the King of Kings. He is a Sustainer even when we don't deserve it. I know because I have been there, done that. I used to think everything that happened to me was God just playing with me and messing with my life. I thought I was meant to be meaningless and in pain. I thought I was meant to live a life of hopelessness. How sad! Thank you Jesus that for saving me and making me see that is not who God is at all! Thank you Lord for your Word that shows us You love us! And this is exactly how we know! WE know because the Bible says so. We know because God used people like Ezra and Nehemiah to remind everyone who is reading that He is always on our side, and always loves us, no matter what! NO MATTER WHAT! That means no matter what you have done in your life, no matter what you have said to God or about God, all you have to do is repent. That's it! All you have to do is cry out to God and He will save you!! He will rescue you from any pain, any sin, any distress, any oppression, and ANY enemy! God is large and in charge!

The Bible says that...

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

That is so encouraging. We don't have to be afraid. We don't have to shrink back in fear. although our enemies pursue us, we have God on our side. All He asks is that we believe He loves us and He died for us! It is my heart for so many, including myself, to understand how much God loves you! How much He desires to spend time with you! He loves you so much He sent His son to die on the cross for you. I pray you understand the revelation of who God is and that no matter what you have done, or where you have been, God is right there and wants you to cry out to Him! Cry out to Him today, and see His saving Grace.

The fastest way to see God is to forgive others, including yourself, and praise Him daily! If you keep looking up, you can't dwell on your circumstances. If you look to His face, He will give you what is in His hands. Praise God, praise Him because He is faithful when we are not. Praise Him for sustaining you this far. Praise Him for loving you even when you don't deserve it. Praise Him for loving you enough to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you.

Praise you LORD! I praise you in the midst of my desert because you are my Sustainer, you are my Love and my Hope! You are my forever and my today! I don't have to look any further because You give me everything I need. You are my Husband, my Laughter, my Joy, my Peace, my Comforter. I praise You because I can come to You and say whatever I need to say. I praise You because I can be ugly in front of You and You won't leave me! I praise You because You love me even when I am ugly and weak. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for loving me enough to do the impossible and the inconceivable. Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy. Thank you Lord for each and every person who is reading this and needs You! I pray they would come to know you more deeply and understand Who you Are! I pray you would give in abundance in their need! I receive all that for my life too! Praise you Lord! Blessed be Your name!!


I love you all and I will be praying for you!

God Bless you!
Cortnee :)