Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah 5:1-13.  

“Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.  For there were those who said, “We, our sons and our daughters are many;  therefore let us get grain that we may eat and live.”  There were others who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses that we might get grain because of the famine.”  Also there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards.  Now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children.  Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.  I consulted with myself and contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, “You are exacting usury, each from his brother!”  Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.  I said to them, “We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations;  now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say.  Again I said, “The thing which you are doing is not good;  should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?  And likewise I, my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain.  Please, let us leave off this usury.  Please, give back to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine and the oil that you are exacting from them.”  Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them;  we will do exactly as you say.”  So I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.  I also shook out the front of my garment and said, “Thus may God shake out every man from his house and from his possessions who does not fulfill this promise;  even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.”  And all the assembly said, “Amen!”  And they praised the LORD.  Then the people did according to this promise.”  Nehemiah 5:1-13.  

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Redemption is the logic that Nehemiah uses to convince the nobles and rulers to not charge interest to their Jewish brothers.  “I said to them, “We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations;  now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?”  Then they were silent and could not find a word to say.”  Verse 8.

Redemption is also the basis of the Law of Usury.  Israel could charge interest to foreigners, but they could not charge interest to their fellow countrymen.  “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him;  you shall not charge him interest.”  Exodus 22:25.  “‘Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.  Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you.  You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain.  I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.”  Leviticus 25:35-38.

In other words, the LORD redeemed Israel.  If the LORD redeemed Israel, then it follows that He would not want interest to be charged them nor be subject to all the slavery of which the people complained in the beginning of this Scripture.  “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”  Deuteronomy 7:7-8. 

So, what hope is there for us in today’s Scripture?  We may not care that much about interest.

Redemption also gives us broader hope that the LORD will give much more to His redeemed than just being free of interest.  

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:4-7.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-8. 

“So then let no one boast in men.  For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come;  all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ;  and Christ belongs to God.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah chapter 4.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%204&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses. 

“Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.  He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing?  Are they going to restore it for themselves?  Can they offer sacrifices?  Can they finish in a day?  Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?”  Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!”

Hear, O our God, how we are despised!  Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.  Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry.  All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it.

But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.

Thus in Judah it was said,

“The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
Yet there is much rubbish;
And we ourselves are unable
To rebuild the wall.”

Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.”  When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows.  When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people:  “Do not be afraid of them;  remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.  From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates;  and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah.  Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.”  Nehemiah 4:1-17. 

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We see prayer and preparation.  The good work continued.  

We too may be facing hostile and mocking people.  We too may need to pray and prepare.  

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains;  that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:10-20.

Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah 2:11-20. This devotion is over 1500 words about twice the size of a normal devotion, and it also contains the very important subject of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, so God willing, my plan and hope is to not post another devotion tomorrow in the hope that the reader use two days to meditate on this devotion rather than rush into the next devotion.  God willing, my next devotion will be Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

“So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days.  And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me.  I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.  So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire.  …  The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done;  nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work.

Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire.  Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.”  I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me.  Then they said, “Let us arise and build.”  So they put their hands to the good work.  But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing?  Are you rebelling against the king?”  So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success;  therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.”  Nehemiah 2:11-13 and 16-20.

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Today’s Scripture reminds us of Ezra 4:1-3.  “Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God;  and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”  But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God;  but we ourselves will together build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.”  Ezra 4:1-3.

Both Nehemiah and Ezra refused to allow unbelievers to participate. Unbelievers may be willing to support building a kingdom of their vision of lovingkindness, but they may not want this kingdom to be one of justice and righteousness nor a kingdom according to Scripture’s blueprint of lovingkindness.  

We are commanded to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”  Matthew 6:33.  And, we know that His kingdom, the kingdom of God, has elements of lovingkindness, justice and righteousness.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

The danger is that whether unbelievers claim to support us or oppose us in building up the kingdom, they can try to influence and control what type of kingdom that we will build.  As a practical matter, we see too many churches which are primarily kingdoms of social missions and which neglect spiritual matters of holy conduct, godliness, and salvation.    

Do we rejoice in the justice and righteousness of the LORD? Or, do we only preach and teach some kind of santa claus god who only cares about what he can give to everyone?

“11 God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.
14 Behold, he travails with wickedness,
And he conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood.
15 He has dug a pit and hollowed it out,
And has fallen into the hole which he made.
16 His mischief will return upon his own head,
And his violence will descend upon his own pate.

17 I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:11-17.

Let us look at examples of what some of the Hall of Faith members did.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”  Hebrews 11:7.

“By faith he (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:9-10.

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;  for he was looking to the reward.  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.”  Hebrews 11:24-27.

Did these Hall of Faith members join forces with unbelievers to build a kingdom of God?  No.

I am certainly not maintaining that believers should not work with unbelievers.  And, I am certainly not maintaining that there can be no cooperation between believers and unbelievers.  And, I am certainly not maintaining that unbelievers have no duty to love unbelievers.  

We remember the command to love our neighbor as ourself.  We remember the command to do good to others.  We remember the parable of The Good Samaritan.  But, we also remember the command:  “Do not be bound together with unbelievers”.

The kingdom of God has only one king, namely Jesus Christ, Who cannot be removed, nor reduced in powers over all in His kingdom, nor minimized, nor hidden.  

“7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son (Jesus Christ),
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son (Jesus Christ), that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:7-12.

And, the kingdom of God that we should seek must be based on Scripture.

The mantra of unbelievers is sometimes inclusion of everyone.  But, the mantra of believers is sometimes exclusion.  There is the specific discipline in Scripture of removing wicked people who are within the church.   

“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;  I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges.  REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”  1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

More generally, we read the sovereign judgment and action of the LORD as stated in the following Scriptures.  

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived;  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”  2 Peter 3:7.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”  2 Peter 3:10.

But, there is hope!

“Such were some of you;  but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:11.  

“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:11-13.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

In conclusion, “… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:11-16.

Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah 2:1-10.

“And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king.  Now I had not been sad in his presence.  So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick?  This is nothing but sadness of heart.”  Then I was very much afraid.  I said to the king, “Let the king live forever.  Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?”  Then the king said to me, “What would you request?”  So I prayed to the God of heaven.  I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”  Then the king said to me, the queen sitting beside him, “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?”  So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a definite time.  And I said to the king, “If it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the River, that they may allow me to pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress which is by the temple, for the wall of the city and for the house to which I will go.”  And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.

Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters.  Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.  When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.”  Nehemiah 2:1-10.

————

Men were against it (Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official), but “the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.”

The LORD’S sovereignty rules over all.  The will of the LORD will be done.  

We may see things that cause us to shake our head in disbelief.  How could that happen?!  Has the LORD lost control?

No.  

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.” Psalm 7:11.

“3 “The LORD is a warrior;
The LORD is His name.
…
6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.” Exodus 15:3 and 6.

“And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.” Exodus 15:7.

“But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”  Luke 19:12.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5.

“Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm chapter 2.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”  2 Peter 3:7.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:10-13.

Today’s devotion comes from Nehemiah chapter 1.

“The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came;  and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.  They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days;  and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.  I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You;  I and my father’s house have sinned.  We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.  Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples;  but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’  They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.  O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”

Now I was the cupbearer to the king.”  Nehemiah chapter 1.

———–

It is interesting to compare the covenant which legally and logically should be the basis of the plea with Nehemiah’s plea in fact. 

Nehemiah states the covenant:  “Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples;  but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, …”.

But does Nehemiah plead:  “They returned to you!  They kept Your commandments!”?

No!

Nehemiah in fact simply pleads:  “They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.”

Moreover, Nehemiah humbly confessed:  “I and my father’s house have sinned.  We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.” 

And, based on Nehemiah’s simple plea that “They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed”, Nehemiah follows it with what is sometimes called the “Wherefore” paragraph of conclusion of what he is requesting.  “O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”

There was hope for Israel and for us today in Nehemiah’s plea!

We should not base our requests to the LORD on our works or as little as our will.

We should base our requests to the Lord on our position as being the LORD’S elect a/k/a the LORD’S chosen people and base our requests on all that Christ has accomplished for us on the cross.  

As a side note, it is interesting that Nehemiah first addressed God as the LORD:  “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments”.  But, then at the last when he is making his specific request at the end, he addresses God as the “Lord”, perhaps that the lower caps shows that the hope is in Jesus as in when we normally pray:  “In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.”

In any event, the lesson for us is that we receive mercy and compassion from the LORD, not based on our repentance nor based on our works nor based on as little as our will, but rather, we receive mercy and compassion from the LORD based on our position as being the LORD’S elect a/k/a the LORD’S chosen people.  

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.  In other words, the basis for the LORD’S mercy and compassion is His will, His choice of whom He will show mercy and compassion (save).   

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination that “election is the fountain of every saving good”.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.  

In sharp contrast to the wise, mighty, and noble who proudly thought they deserved mercy and compassion by their own works or by at least their wisdom and will, God shows mercy and compassion on only those whom He has chosen as we see that the following Scripture pounds the table three times what is the basis of salvation:  “God has chosen”.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

Consider the the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra chapter 10.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra%2010&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women and children, gathered to him from Israel;  for the people wept bitterly.  Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land;  yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.”  Ezra 10:1-2. 

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Today’s Scripture details the sin but then states:  “yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.” 

A common theme and motto of my Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions is “But, there is hope!”  

Yes, as stated in today’s Scripture, and yes to us today, “We have been unfaithful to our God …”. “But, there is hope!”  

This hope is not for everyone.  This hope is for God’s chosen people.  In today’s Scripture, this hope was for Israel, specifically for the remnant, the exiles.  More generally, this hope is for God’s chosen people including some Jews and some Gentiles, whomever God chooses and calls to be His people.  

This hope is not based on man nor based on man’s works nor based on man’s wisdom nor based on man’s will.

This hope is based on God and God’s total and perfect sovereignty and God’s works and God’s wisdom and God’s will.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

God accomplishes all of His good pleasure in exercising lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth.  Total Perfect Triumph.  

In part, God accomplishes His good pleasure by demonstrating His lovingkindness by choosing whom He will save (“Unconditional Election”) and by providing all that the His elect need for salvation:  from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.  In other words, salvation does not depend on our works. Our salvation does not even depend on as little as our will.  God saves whom He wants.

God saves all those, and only those (the elect), whom He has chosen to save.  In sharp contrast to the wise, mighty, and noble who proudly thought they deserved salvation by their will or by their works or by their position, God saves only those whom He has chosen as we see that the following Scripture pounds the table three times on what is the basis of salvation:  “God has chosen”.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

We don’t rejoice in our works nor in our wisdom nor in our will.  We boast in the LORD. 

“9 … I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:9-14.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6. 

 “For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

“… He preserves the way of His godly ones.” Proverbs 2:8.

“…  for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39.

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

“Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart,
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the LORD;
They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;
The LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will remember His covenant forever.
6 He has made known to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.” Psalm 111:1-6.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra 8:24-36.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra%208&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then we journeyed from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month to go to Jerusalem;  and the hand of our God was over us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way.  Thus we came to Jerusalem and remained there three days.

On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the utensils were weighed out in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas;  and with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui.  Everything was numbered and weighed, and all the weight was recorded at that time.

The exiles who had come from the captivity offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel:  12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, 12 male goats for a sin offering, all as a burnt offering to the LORD.  Then they delivered the king’s edicts to the king’s satraps and to the governors in the provinces beyond the River, and they supported the people and the house of God.”  Ezra 8:31-36. 

———–

The LORD delivered Ezra and the exiles “from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way.”  Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on some verses concerning the LORD’S deliverance of the righteous.   

“39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
He is their strength in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they take refuge in Him.” Psalm 37:39.

“17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:17-19.

“12 The wicked plots against the righteous
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The LORD laughs at him,
For He sees his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow
To cast down the afflicted and the needy,
To slay those who are upright in conduct.
15 Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.

16 Better is the little of the righteous
Than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken,
But the LORD sustains the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.
20 But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.” Psalm 37:12-20.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22.

“18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:18-22.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” Psalm 3:8.

Today’s devotion comes from Ezra 8:21-23.

“Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.  For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.”  So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.”  Ezra 8:21-23.  

————

Ezra knew from such a favorable decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra that the king would very likely have given to Ezra troops and horseman to protect Ezra and his group from the enemy on the way.  See Ezra 7:11-26.  But, Ezra admitted that he was ashamed to request from the king such help.   

The lesson is that even though we believe that God will protect us and otherwise bless us, and that God in fact does so, we also can and should use our God-given wisdom and use God’s word also given to us to both get help from others and to do what actions that we can do for ourselves to protect ourselves.

In addition to other Scriptures, the Book of Proverbs is full of examples of the importance of seeking wisdom and doing actions that are wise.

“3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:3-9.

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8.

“7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11.

“2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 2:2-3.

And, we can and should still ask for help from others whom God has given to us to help us like God gave King Artaxerxes to Ezra to help Ezra.   

“For by wise guidance you will wage war,
And in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 127:6.

“Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.”  Luke 14:31-32.

“But now there are many members, but one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”;  or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  1 Corinthians 12:20-21.

“Ask, and it will be given to you;  seek, and you will find;  knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:7-11.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-7.

We can and should still pray for God’s protection even though we believe that we have done everything that we should do.  

“Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2.

But, there is hope!

“… He preserves the way of His godly ones.” Proverbs 2:8.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9. 

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners;  and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be miserable and mourn and weep;  let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”  James 4:6-10.

“…  for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.