Nehemiah 4:6 Nehemías 4:6
"Continuamos con la reconstrucción y levantamos la muralla hasta media altura, pues el pueblo trabajó con entusiasmo."
"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."
What does it mean to have a mind to work? Does it mean that their minds were focused on the work? Or, perhaps, their minds were prepared for the work, and with one accord had a goal in mind for freedom from oppression. The NVI says the people "trabajó con entusiasmo--worked with enthusiasm".
They didn't see the work as labor, they saw it as a way to freedom--a way to a better life.
It should be the same for us. All to often I see the wall under construction and not the city being built. I see the labor in front of me, instead of my eternal destiny. No matter how small or large the task, we, as Christians, should have a mind to work as the Jews of Nehemiah's day did. Because no matter what the task is, if we are doing it for the Lord, we are building our place in heaven.
Today, I'm going to set my mind to heaven as I work, contemplating the finish line and not the work still to be done before it.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
¡Manos a la obra!
Nehemiah 2:18 Nehemías 2:18
"Entonces les conté cómo la bondadosa mano de Dios había estado conmigo y les relaté le que el rey me había dicho. Al oír esto, exclamaron:
--¡Manos a la obra!
Y unieron la acción a la palabra." NVI
“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.
So they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work.” NKJV
So many times it is easy to get into a zombie bible reading mode. I start reading the bible stories and, well, it sounds like a lot of biblical stuff. It is very easy to read over verses like this one and not give it a second glance. Yeah, Nehemiah told them God was with him and that the king was going to help and they started to build. Wait a second though. This is right after Nehemiah springs this on them that they were even going to try to rebuild it.
In this story, from the perspective of the Jews, a faraway ethnically Jewish man--a powerful man who worked at the right hand of the king--shows up in Jerusalem with no explanation. The next day he announces to the officials, the priests and the nobles that he actually came all that way to rebuild the wall.
Not only that, but the God of Israel was backing him up on this and apparently so was a foreign king. I don’t know about you, but even if this meeting lasted for hours, that amount of strange information would have left me dumbfounded. My response would have been more along the lines of “Wait... what? I’m supposed to believe that?”
But look at the response of the people. In the NVI it says they exclaimed “Hands to the Work! (Manos a la obra)” What kind of faith they must have had!
It is striking to me how often and how prominently Nehemiah gives all glory to God in all things. Here he told them that the hand of God was upon him. For me, I would have loved to mention that, but I often--to my own dismay--feel like people will think I’m crazy for saying things like that. If I said, “Hey, God told me this” I feel like they would respond with a “So what have you been smoking lately?” at least in their hearts. I feel this way even in Christian circles, and I know it’s wrong.
I need to give God the glory He deserves in all circumstances. After all, most things I have to say won’t probably sound nearly as absurd as what Nehemiah did in this verse. And even though it was a hard pill for most people to swallow, the hand of God truly was upon him, and he trusted God to sway the hearts of the Israelites as well.
"Entonces les conté cómo la bondadosa mano de Dios había estado conmigo y les relaté le que el rey me había dicho. Al oír esto, exclamaron:
--¡Manos a la obra!
Y unieron la acción a la palabra." NVI
“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.
So they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work.” NKJV
So many times it is easy to get into a zombie bible reading mode. I start reading the bible stories and, well, it sounds like a lot of biblical stuff. It is very easy to read over verses like this one and not give it a second glance. Yeah, Nehemiah told them God was with him and that the king was going to help and they started to build. Wait a second though. This is right after Nehemiah springs this on them that they were even going to try to rebuild it.
In this story, from the perspective of the Jews, a faraway ethnically Jewish man--a powerful man who worked at the right hand of the king--shows up in Jerusalem with no explanation. The next day he announces to the officials, the priests and the nobles that he actually came all that way to rebuild the wall.
Not only that, but the God of Israel was backing him up on this and apparently so was a foreign king. I don’t know about you, but even if this meeting lasted for hours, that amount of strange information would have left me dumbfounded. My response would have been more along the lines of “Wait... what? I’m supposed to believe that?”
But look at the response of the people. In the NVI it says they exclaimed “Hands to the Work! (Manos a la obra)” What kind of faith they must have had!
It is striking to me how often and how prominently Nehemiah gives all glory to God in all things. Here he told them that the hand of God was upon him. For me, I would have loved to mention that, but I often--to my own dismay--feel like people will think I’m crazy for saying things like that. If I said, “Hey, God told me this” I feel like they would respond with a “So what have you been smoking lately?” at least in their hearts. I feel this way even in Christian circles, and I know it’s wrong.
I need to give God the glory He deserves in all circumstances. After all, most things I have to say won’t probably sound nearly as absurd as what Nehemiah did in this verse. And even though it was a hard pill for most people to swallow, the hand of God truly was upon him, and he trusted God to sway the hearts of the Israelites as well.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Humility in Prayer
Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemías 1:4
"Al escuchar esto, me senté a llorar; hice deulo por algunos días, ayuné y oré al Dios del cielo."
"So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."
Nehemiah was heartbroken for his people. Hearing the news of their hardship genuinely caused him grief and suffering. He fasted and prayed, not before men, but before God.
There is something very humble in this first chapter of Nehemiah. It begins with simply his name and the fact that he’s writing this. Then he fasted and prayed no doubt silently, and without show or boast before men.
His prayer which is recorded, is also very humble. It is very respectful and exalting to God. He does not deny his own guilt, or that of his people, and then he gently begs God to remember His promise to the Isrealites.
He ends the chapter with his station, cupbearer to the king. Apparently, this is a very high position to be in at the time. Had this been written in modern times, no doubt, the author would have seen his position of power as an important tool of rhetoric. The modern author would have put his station at the beginning when introducing himself, and maybe would have added a little something of the power that job involved. But we don’t see that here. In fact, it’s kind of thrown in there in a way that makes me think that it would not have been added except that it was necessary to understand the story.
I need to be careful not to boast, and to be humble before man--but more importantly before God especially in my prayers.
"Al escuchar esto, me senté a llorar; hice deulo por algunos días, ayuné y oré al Dios del cielo."
"So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."
Nehemiah was heartbroken for his people. Hearing the news of their hardship genuinely caused him grief and suffering. He fasted and prayed, not before men, but before God.
There is something very humble in this first chapter of Nehemiah. It begins with simply his name and the fact that he’s writing this. Then he fasted and prayed no doubt silently, and without show or boast before men.
His prayer which is recorded, is also very humble. It is very respectful and exalting to God. He does not deny his own guilt, or that of his people, and then he gently begs God to remember His promise to the Isrealites.
He ends the chapter with his station, cupbearer to the king. Apparently, this is a very high position to be in at the time. Had this been written in modern times, no doubt, the author would have seen his position of power as an important tool of rhetoric. The modern author would have put his station at the beginning when introducing himself, and maybe would have added a little something of the power that job involved. But we don’t see that here. In fact, it’s kind of thrown in there in a way that makes me think that it would not have been added except that it was necessary to understand the story.
I need to be careful not to boast, and to be humble before man--but more importantly before God especially in my prayers.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
What Does it Profit?
James 2:14 Santiago 2:14
"Hermanos míos, ¿de qué aprovechará si alguno dice que tiene fe, y no tiene obras? ¿Podrá la fe salvarle?" RV1960
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" NKJV
This verse is kind of a hard pill for me to swallow. We are taught, as one of our church doctrines that there is justification by faith. Why then does James ask a rhetorical question, that in context seems to imply a definite no, faith cannot save him? But then we are also told in other parts of the bible that the unfruitful branches will be cut off.
It seems to me that the result of a true personal relationship with the God and savoir of the world has only one outcome--and that is works. If you have no works then your faith is dead because the Spirit has been ignored and the relationship is either cold or non-existent. But if the relationship is alive, believe me, you will always be convicted of one area in your life and there should always be a struggle to improve one’s relationship with God by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit--works.
So what profit is faith without works? It profits no one. It does not profit God, who is given a representative who makes His name look bad. It does not profit man, for there is no effort to love thy neighbor. And, perhaps worst of all, it does not profit the man with faith and no works. For he then remains in a dying state, thinking himself righteous while in reality has no true communion with the Holy Spirit.
So what does this mean practically for me?
I need to make sure that my own relationship with the Father does not falter, like it has been this past week. I need to be more diligent in prayer and in the reading of my bible, all other pass times in the morning and at night come second.
"Hermanos míos, ¿de qué aprovechará si alguno dice que tiene fe, y no tiene obras? ¿Podrá la fe salvarle?" RV1960
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" NKJV
This verse is kind of a hard pill for me to swallow. We are taught, as one of our church doctrines that there is justification by faith. Why then does James ask a rhetorical question, that in context seems to imply a definite no, faith cannot save him? But then we are also told in other parts of the bible that the unfruitful branches will be cut off.
It seems to me that the result of a true personal relationship with the God and savoir of the world has only one outcome--and that is works. If you have no works then your faith is dead because the Spirit has been ignored and the relationship is either cold or non-existent. But if the relationship is alive, believe me, you will always be convicted of one area in your life and there should always be a struggle to improve one’s relationship with God by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit--works.
So what profit is faith without works? It profits no one. It does not profit God, who is given a representative who makes His name look bad. It does not profit man, for there is no effort to love thy neighbor. And, perhaps worst of all, it does not profit the man with faith and no works. For he then remains in a dying state, thinking himself righteous while in reality has no true communion with the Holy Spirit.
So what does this mean practically for me?
I need to make sure that my own relationship with the Father does not falter, like it has been this past week. I need to be more diligent in prayer and in the reading of my bible, all other pass times in the morning and at night come second.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mercy Triumphs
James 2:13 Santiago 2:13
"Porque juicio sin misericordia se hará con aquel que no hiciere misericordia; y la misericordia triunfa sobre el juicio.” RVR1960
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” NKJV
In the previous verse we are told to speak and do as those who will be judged. But why? Aren’t we freed from judgment in Christ?
This verse here starts to unpack that answer. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. My mind immediately goes to the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable there is a servant that owes his master some money. The servant begs for more time to pay off his debt, and the Master agrees. But then the servant goes out and sees someone who owes him money and demands it. This man also begs for more time, but he is not forgiven by the servant and the servant has the man thrown in jail. When the master learns of it he is furious, and I’m sure we would be too.
Often in the new testament this theme is present: you reap what you sow. In the Lord’s prayer it says “For give us our sins (or debts), for we have also forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Now James is giving us a spiritual truth. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy--or if you judge you will be judged.
Even though we are deserving of judgment, because we often fail to forgive or show mercy, James gives us this assurance: Mercy triumphs over judgment. Not only is mercy better than judgment, it is also more powerful and able to overthrow it.
The application to this is obvious: forgive, and show mercy--always. Because our Father always shows mercy and is faithful to forgive us.
"Porque juicio sin misericordia se hará con aquel que no hiciere misericordia; y la misericordia triunfa sobre el juicio.” RVR1960
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” NKJV
In the previous verse we are told to speak and do as those who will be judged. But why? Aren’t we freed from judgment in Christ?
This verse here starts to unpack that answer. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. My mind immediately goes to the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable there is a servant that owes his master some money. The servant begs for more time to pay off his debt, and the Master agrees. But then the servant goes out and sees someone who owes him money and demands it. This man also begs for more time, but he is not forgiven by the servant and the servant has the man thrown in jail. When the master learns of it he is furious, and I’m sure we would be too.
Often in the new testament this theme is present: you reap what you sow. In the Lord’s prayer it says “For give us our sins (or debts), for we have also forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Now James is giving us a spiritual truth. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy--or if you judge you will be judged.
Even though we are deserving of judgment, because we often fail to forgive or show mercy, James gives us this assurance: Mercy triumphs over judgment. Not only is mercy better than judgment, it is also more powerful and able to overthrow it.
The application to this is obvious: forgive, and show mercy--always. Because our Father always shows mercy and is faithful to forgive us.
Old Testament Application #1
Numbers 11:1-2
"1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down."
The people of isreal complained of their hardships. It said that they did this is the hearing of the Lord.
God had promised to dwell among them and so all that they did was apparent to him. When they sinned, when they complained, when they rejoiced, was always known by Him. Sometimes they lost sight of that.
How much more should we be aware of our attitudes towards God when He promises to dwell in us?
So the Lord became angry and burned the outskirts of the camp. The way they were saved was by Moses coming to the Lord in prayer.
When I mess up and don't have my heart in the right place, I, too, need to come to the Lord in prayer.
"1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down."
The people of isreal complained of their hardships. It said that they did this is the hearing of the Lord.
God had promised to dwell among them and so all that they did was apparent to him. When they sinned, when they complained, when they rejoiced, was always known by Him. Sometimes they lost sight of that.
How much more should we be aware of our attitudes towards God when He promises to dwell in us?
So the Lord became angry and burned the outskirts of the camp. The way they were saved was by Moses coming to the Lord in prayer.
When I mess up and don't have my heart in the right place, I, too, need to come to the Lord in prayer.
The Law and Judgment
James 2:12 Santiago 2:12
“Hablen y pórtense como quienes han de ser juzgandos por la ley que nos da libertad,” NVI
“So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” NKJV
We know as Christians that whatever we do and no matter how hard we try we will never be able to achieve righteousness in God’s eye’s. What’s worse is that the sin we all have committed against God is deserving of death and eternal damnation. The miracle of grace is that we are redeemed from the penalty of the grave by the blood of Jesus, the son of God. Instead of a law that condemns we now have a ‘law that gives us liberty’ (NVI) and that is a law of mercy and love. It’s the same basic law as before, except now that the old one was fulfilled with the perfect sacrifice, we live our lives looking back toward that substitutionary atonement instead of looking forward to it. Instead of coming to the alter with a sacrificial lamb, we come to our knees and beg forgiveness though we have nothing to offer but ourselves, --but God has mercy and us and promises to forgive us again and again.
But here we are told to act as if we were to be judged by that law--a law impossible for us to keep.
So before I get into the reasoning behind this statement, how do I obey this? Here James is clearly talking about an old testament law that was there to prove our unrighteousness in the sight of God. This righteousness is impossible to attain and yet we need to strive for it. Not for the sake of saving ourselves, but because God first loved us, and we should now love Him by showing ourselves loyal.
Aside from the redemptive analogies woven into it (the animal sacrifices, the uncleanness, ect.) which was fulfilled, I need to pay close attention to the law in the old testament and find applications in my own life today.
I'm going to write down an application from the old testament for at least two times this week.
“Hablen y pórtense como quienes han de ser juzgandos por la ley que nos da libertad,” NVI
“So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” NKJV
We know as Christians that whatever we do and no matter how hard we try we will never be able to achieve righteousness in God’s eye’s. What’s worse is that the sin we all have committed against God is deserving of death and eternal damnation. The miracle of grace is that we are redeemed from the penalty of the grave by the blood of Jesus, the son of God. Instead of a law that condemns we now have a ‘law that gives us liberty’ (NVI) and that is a law of mercy and love. It’s the same basic law as before, except now that the old one was fulfilled with the perfect sacrifice, we live our lives looking back toward that substitutionary atonement instead of looking forward to it. Instead of coming to the alter with a sacrificial lamb, we come to our knees and beg forgiveness though we have nothing to offer but ourselves, --but God has mercy and us and promises to forgive us again and again.
But here we are told to act as if we were to be judged by that law--a law impossible for us to keep.
So before I get into the reasoning behind this statement, how do I obey this? Here James is clearly talking about an old testament law that was there to prove our unrighteousness in the sight of God. This righteousness is impossible to attain and yet we need to strive for it. Not for the sake of saving ourselves, but because God first loved us, and we should now love Him by showing ourselves loyal.
Aside from the redemptive analogies woven into it (the animal sacrifices, the uncleanness, ect.) which was fulfilled, I need to pay close attention to the law in the old testament and find applications in my own life today.
I'm going to write down an application from the old testament for at least two times this week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)