Nehemiah 1-3

"The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

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.'

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

It really touched me that Nehemiah had such compassion for the Israelites. When he heard the news of the condition of Jerusalem, the bible says he mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Having the heart of compassion for others is something that does not come naturally to me. I guess I grew up pretty spoiled and I often find myself thinking of others only when there's some time left over after dealing with my own issues.

In the third chapter of Nehemiah, when the Israelites are starting their work in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the word "next to" is used so many times. Someone would be working on this section of the wall, and next to him, this other person would do their share of the work. It reminded me that God never intended for us to live this Christian life alone. We are to seek God in all things and to have love and compassion for others.

The condition of the Israelites that broke Nehemiah's heart was something that broke God's heart also. I pray this day that the things that break the heart of God would also break mine. That I will seek after what is pleasing to God.

Jeremiah 18-21

"Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot."

This was Jeremiah's complaint. He was told by God to proclaim imminent judgment destruction upon the people of Israel. No doubt he was persecuted by many people. By the priest Pashhur, he actually got beaten and put in the stocks. The priest, who is suppose to lead people to God, was against Jeremiah. I think same thing is happening these days. So called pastors and Christians, including us, are saying and doing things that are not from God. Instead, we live to please ourselves not God.

Despite the oppositions, Jeremiah didn't fail to proclaim God's word. He said God's word is like a fire in his bones. Do we have such a passion for God's word? God is telling us that we ought to have passion and conviction for his word and preach it to ourselves and those around us.

Let us be a faithful witness of the gospel just like Jeremiah.

Ezra 7-9

"What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this. Shall we again break your commands and intermarry with the people who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor? O LORD, God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, thought because of it not one of us can stand in your presence."

Prophet Ezra is crying out to God in repentance, because he has found out that the Israelites, even the leaders, have broken God's command to not intermarry with those from other nations that worship other gods.

All of us constantly battle our desire to do what we want to do. As I shared with you, during this time of job search, I find myself thinking about what can God do for me. We seem to forget that we are here in this world to bring God glory. As long as we have a heart to seek after God, he will take care of all our needs. We are to look to God for all things. As you said, we have a tendency to look for all other things but God sometimes.

Let us remember that this day. And trust in the Lord our God. Let us not be discouraged by our circumstances. We have a God that loves us. Praise God for his love and mercy endures forever:)

Jeremiah 11-14

"This is what the LORD says: "As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them. But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives' - even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal - then they will be established among my people. But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it," declares the LORD."

I am reminded of God's compassion. Just like the 'wicked neightbors' God mentioned, time to time, we turn to everything and everyone except God. And God is telling us to return to him.

We were once his enemies yet he sent his only son, Jesus, to die for our sins. He loves us more than anything in this world. His heart always goes out for sinners wanting them to repent and be restored. God is always willing to accept us. Let us praise and thank God for his compassion and be compassionate toward others.

Ezra 4-6

"Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God:

The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed–young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem–must be given them daily without fail, so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons."

This passage simply reminded me that God daily provides all that we need to do his will. His grace is sufficient in any situation he puts us through. Let's go humbly before God this day and confidently take all the grace he freely gives. How wonderful is our God!

Jeremiah 9-10

"This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD."

Today I was very overwhelmed and discouraged at the same time because of my circumstances. I felt so small because I really don't have anything - well paying job, high educational degree, etc. And I felt people around me, even my family, do not think highly of me. So I did complain to God in my heart feeling that everything I am going through is unfair and undeserving. However, God is reminding me that he is the one who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth. And I am to boast about God and him alone. I think it is in our nature to boast about ourselves - our possessions, intellect, strength, etc.

God is teaching to humble myself completely before Him and men. Let us be reminded of Jesus' humility and live like him.