External vs Internal
Reflections: Paul describes the difference between external
observance of the Law and the inward transformation of the Spirit. Circumcision was a sign that set apart the
Jewish men, but when they dishonored God it dishonored His name among the
Gentiles. It wasn’t as though the
circumcision didn’t have value as it was ordained by God and a mark of the
covenant promise God had given to the Israelites. But when the Israelites worshipped other gods
it did more harm to God’s name than good.
Then in Nehemiah we see
part of God’s restoration for the Jewish people as they return from exile. Nehemiah is highly favored and even the most
powerful man in the world King Artaxerxes sees that he is downcast and provides
for his travel to go back home. The
theme we see is that as people humble themselves and seek God’s face He
provides a way back.
And the key to this transformation
as it says in Colossians is to “keep alert and pray on all occasions!” I love this term “alert”, because it shows
that our prayers not only praise God, give thanks, but there is sense always of
us sensing what God is doing and being alert to the Holy Spirit’s
prompting. God does the work of
sanctification in our hearts and lives, but he gives us means of grace and
prayer is a huge one! Prayer draws us near to the heart of God and
sets us in tune with God’s will and reminds us of the Spirit’s presence in our
lives and prayer.
Many times I will start
praying not knowing what to pray, and the Spirit will move the prayer in the
direction that God wants me to move.
Many people fear praying out loud afraid that they will not say the
right things or have enough “religious language” to authenticate the prayer,
but prayer is a conversation with God under the influence of the Holy
Spirit. The bible reminds us that one of
the roles of the Spirit is to give us the words to say and even will move us in
sighs and “groanings” that only God understands.
When we pray our hearts
start getting moved by what moves the heart of God. Spend some time in prayer today, praising
God, thanking Him for what He has done and being alert on all occasions for what
God is doing.
Psalm 35:1-10
Of David.
1 Contend, Lord, with those
who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and
armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and
javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff
before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them
away;
6 may their path be dark
and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net
for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them
by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will
rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will
exclaim,
“Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from
those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob
them.”
Nehemiah 1:1-2:10
Nehemiah’s Prayer
1 The words of Nehemiah
son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in
the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some
other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the
exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the
exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall
of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When
I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted
and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven,
the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love
him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open
to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your
servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including
myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very
wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave
your servant Moses. 8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses,
saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if
you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at
the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place
I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ 10 “They are your servants and your
people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord,
let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer
of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success
today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
I was cupbearer to the
king.
Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah
to Jerusalem
2 In the month of Nisan in
the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took
the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2
so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill?
This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”I was very much afraid, 3 but I said
to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when
the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been
destroyed by fire?” 4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed
to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if
your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah
where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” 6 Then the king, with
the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and
when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. 7 I
also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors
of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in
Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will
give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for
the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious
hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. 9 So I went to the
governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had
also sent army officers and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and
Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed
that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
Romans 2:17-3:2
The Jews and the Law
17 Now you, if you call
yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his
will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19
if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who
are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children,
because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you,
then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against
stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do
you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast
in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written:
“God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 25 Circumcision
has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as
though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not
circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though
they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet
obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision,
are a lawbreaker. 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is
circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one
inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by
the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from
God.
God’s Faithfulness
3 What advantage, then, is
there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every
way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in
your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13 (NIV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with
thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
Comments
Post a Comment