As the people gathered to listen to the reading of the Law, they also made time to worship their God. In their worship, they began with affirming the greatness of God: “You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; all you preserve them all…”
This enabled them to review their life experience in the light of who God is. They recalled key milestones in their history where they saw God’s hand at work, such as in the calling of Abraham and the covenant made with and by God, their exodus from slavery in Egypt and crossing the Red Sea and the ten commandments given through Moses. They also recalled the various times they had rebelled and strayed away from God. And they could also recall God’s love and care for them despite their disobedience. By recognizing the hand of God at these specific points in their history, they could reaffirm with confidence that this God is “our God, the great and mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love… .” And they could put their trust in God to see them through the difficult time they were facing as a people under the domination of a foreign power, who were “in great distress.”
In our lives too, it is helpful for us to make time to review our personal and family history in the light of who God is and what he has done. We begin by recognizing who God is and God’s greatness. We can then recall the significant moments, both of joy and of pain, and seek to discern the presence and action of this great God at each of these occasions. As we look at how God has acted in the full sweep of our life to this point, it gives us the confidence to put our trust, hope and faith that this same God will see us through the difficulties we may be currently facing for he will not abandon us.
Written by Mr. Ajit Hazra
Questions
For Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- Who is one mature Christian you look up to, and why?
- How are you still rebelling against God and how can you make that right?
- How can we renew our covenant with God?
Sermon
Preacher: Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun
Series: Band Together
Topic: Getting Right with God as We Band Together
Verses: Nehemiah 9: 1 – 38
The sermon will be livestreamed at the 10am English Service on Sunday, 21 April 2024.
Read the other devotionals in our Nehemiah sermon series.
