Last night, Saturday, we had dinner at Key Colony Inn. It is our most favorite restaurant in the Florida Keys, or for that matter, maybe the one we prefer over any other, any where. We consider the owners and their long time, hard working, attentive, staff to be our friends. When we came back home to Layton we were on the computer and watched some TV. I love Bill Gaither’s Old Time Gospel hour at 7PM on Saturday nights on TBN. After that, Richie and I watched Charles Stanley’s Sunday message and shut the TV off.
We must have gone to bed too early, because neither of us could fall asleep. It was senseless just lying there, so I got up to read. I took my bible off the table and looked at the index listing the books in the Old Testament and New Testament. The two books that I had in mind to read again are Nehemiah in the Old Testament and Hebrews in the New Testament. I decided to start reading the book of Nehemiah and before I knew it, it was 2AM and I had finished reading all of the chapters in the book. I found God’s message to Nehemiah, a cup bearer for the King of Persia in about 400 to 500 BC, to be applicable to 2011 AD. We can compare and apply God’s clear message, given to Nehemiah, to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem to the need to restore and rebuild America’s foundation today. Our country was built on Judeo-Christian principles, laws, and values. Just like the fallen walls of Jerusalem, our system is being torn down, economically, morally, socially, and spiritually. Political correctness and self-serving individuals have broken down our walls. The book of Nehemiah shows how God’s people, armed with God’s power and resources, can accomplish God’s plan for our individual lives and for our nation.
Nehemiah was a man who walked with God. He knew God, he talked to God, he mourned with God, he waited on God, he submitted to God in obedience, and he gave God all of the glory for everything in his life. I want to be like Nehemiah. I want to walk with God and saturate myself in His word before I find myself in the middle of a crisis. I want to be prepared to be used by God where He places me and where He needs me. God put a plan in Nehemiah’s heart. Nehemiah explained the plan to the Israeli people of Jerusalem who had returned from exile. One by one, group by group, they worked together to rebuild different sections of the total wall. The wall which was 2 ½ miles long and 8 feet deep was rebuilt in 52 days. God was in Nehemiah. God was in the plan. God gave His people the will, ability, and power to carry out His plan. They knew that God’s hand was upon them and upon the plan. When the wall was completed they all gave God the glory. God’s will, done God’s way, never lacks God’s provision. When we look at what God has accomplished, we are sure of what He can do, and we live in anticipation of what He will do next. Faith acted upon grows greater faith in our lives. We must be strong in the Lord when we face opposition against our plans and in our lives. We are not to be surprised or fearful when it happens because God is sovereign and will walk with us through life’s difficulties and oppositions.
I spent today talking to the Lord. I was in prayer for my family, loved ones, and friends; especially for those going through times of trial and sickness. I do pray The Jabez prayer for each of us and for America daily. I pray that God will Bless America. I pray that He will direct and empower His people and strengthen and expand her spiritual territory. I pray that His hand will be upon her and I pray that He will protect her from harm and from doing harm as Jabez had prayed. As instructed in Psalm 122:6, I also pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.
I spent time writing my blog and reflecting on the teachings found in the book of Nehemiah. In quiet meditation I praised and worshiped the Lord by myself. He hears me and He gives me His peace. He brings thoughts to my mind and He clarifies and confirms my thoughts, my plans, and my decisions. I fed my spirit by listening to a few internet sermons by the pastor of my daughter’s church in Pennsylvania. He is doing a sermon series on Nehemiah. He helped my understanding. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).
Life does get busy even when one is retired. I set my priorities and spend time daily with those I love; my Lord being on the top of that list. If you love someone, you want to spend time with them, know them, and connect with them emotionally and spiritually. We are comfortable with our loved ones. Peaceful rest in the Lord refreshes. I am refreshed.
Lord, fill me with your Spirit and continually refresh and renew my mind.
To God be the Glory as I rejoice in this day!
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