Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause  against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;  why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill  and to your dwelling!

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
 
Meditation
How do you respond when people gossip about you, sharing things that are not true or falsely accusing you? Are you someone who takes matters into your own hands or one who opens your hands in trusting God to defend, justify, and exonerate?
 
The Psalmist empowers God’s people to look up to the Lord for defense, the vindication and response to slander we long for. “Vindicate me!” “Deliver me” The focus of our faith is God- He is our refuge. God alone sends light and truth (3). God will fight for you.
 
Questions abound- Why does it look like the perpetrators always win? Why do I feel rejected by both people and God (2-3)? God is big enough for our questions and frustrations. He welcomes our interrogations. When we focus our hearts on Him our faith will be refreshed.
 
What God reveals about Himself and says about you is far more powerful than the problems caused by gossipers, truth twisters, or slanderers. God’s sovereign grace frees us from the prison of personal pain to praise with exceeding joy (4).
 
God will vindicate His people, rescuing us with His salvation and defending us from our enemies. Jesus Christ died to vindicate us before the Father, securing our status as His children. Speak to your soul, preaching the gospel to yourself- Hope in God! He is your salvation and is worthy of praise. His love will not let you go.
 
Richly Dwelling
-When the tide of public opinion turns on you do you take matters into your own hands or open your hands and trust God to vindicate you?
 
-Why are we tempted to not trust God to vindicate us? Turn to the promises of God and preach to your soul- Hope in God!
 
-Jesus Christ is the truth and He has defeated the father of lies, the devil. Truth always wins and light always defeats darkness. How can you celebrate truth and light in your life?
 
Key Verse
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God,  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you,   peoples in exchange for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.

6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! 9 All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,    “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed,  nor shall there be any after me.

11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. 12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. 13 Also henceforth I am he;  there is none who can deliver from my hand;  I work, and who can turn it back?” 14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon   and bring them all down as fugitives,   even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,  the Creator of Israel, your King.”
 
16 Thus says the Lord,  who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise,   they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things,  nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;  now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me,  the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,

21     the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. 22 “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! 23 You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings,   or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings,  or wearied you with frankincense. 24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins;  you have wearied me with your iniquities.
 
25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. 26 Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;  set forth your case, that you may be proved right. 27 Your first father sinned,  and your mediators transgressed against me. 28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and deliver Jacob to utter destruction and Israel to reviling.
 
Meditation
Food for thought? God gives a gracious portion in which we can marinate our minds.  Peace, hope, strength, and power to endure are available when we mine the riches of revelation, soaking our souls in the person and promises of God.
 
Isaiah 43 is full of revelation concerning the person of God:
 
I am the Lord, your God who created and formed you (1)
I am everywhere (2)
I am your Savior (3)
You are precious in my eyes- I love you (4)
I am with you (5)
There is no other God but Me (10)
No one can deliver you FROM my hand (13)
I am your creator and king (15)
I am doing a new thing (19)
 
The revelation of WHO God is deepens the power of God’s promises:
 
When you pass through the waters and fire- You will be OK (2)
I will bring you home, gathering you to myself (5)
I want you to know me, believe in me, and understand I alone am God (10)
No one can deliver you FROM my hand (13)
I send turbulence for your own sake (14)
I will make a way forward, a path in the sea (16)
I will make a way in the wilderness, streams in the desert (19)
I am shaping you by your circumstances to declare my praise (21)
I blot out your sins for my own sake. I will remember your sins no more (25)
 
Richly Dwelling
-What does your mind meditate and marinate on? What does your soul soak in? How is that working for you?
 
-What revelation of the person of God speaks intimately to you? Which promises provide the most power?
 
-Spend time throughout today intentionally meditating on the person and promises of God revealed by Isaiah 43.
 
Key Verse
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”

And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”
 
7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house.
 
David's Child Dies
And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
 
Solomon's Birth
24 Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him 25 and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.
 
Rabbah Is Captured
26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. 30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
 
 
Meditation
“God’s grace is greater than all our sin” and provides us an opportunity to RESET, to begin again. We are more than the sum of our greatest failures. The covenant love of God frees us to repent, redeem our worst ways, and walk in a newness of life.
 
“The Lord sent Nathan…” (1) Grace pursues us in our failures. The verb “sent” is used 12 times in the previous chapter- David sends, Bathsheba sends, Joab sends… but our rebellion is never the end of the story. The Lord sends His grace, calling David to repent.
 
Nathan’s pointed parable (2-6) clarifies David’s sin- David rejected God’s word, welcomed a woman, and sent her husband to be killed (7-12).  David acknowledges his sin against the Lord (13). God’s grace gives space to RESET.
 
David turns from his sin and to the Lord for hope, strength, and direction. David trusts God with the consequences of his sin (15-24). Grace redeems the worst ways of David through providing another child, Solomon, who would be the conduit of the Lord’s covenant faithfulness to all generations (Matthew 1:6-7).
 
The anatomy of David’s repentance is seen in Psalm 51. The fruit of David’s repentance is a new beginning through the provision of God’s covenant faithfulness. The work of Jesus Christ makes a way for forgiveness and cleansing, a Redemptive RESET for all who believe. The Lord sent Nathan to David. Our Father sent His Son for you, not to condemn but to give you life and life abundant.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you need a RESET from your sin? Your failure and unfaithfulness do not define you and are not the end of the story. Grace is seeking you!
 
-Ask the Spirit to search your heart and make space to experience God’s grace through repentance. Ask God to create in you a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within you.
 
-How is God redeeming your worst ways and how can you participate in His work? God wants to redeem, renew, and restore. God takes our sin and struggles and makes strength, demonstrating the sufficiency of His grace!
 
Key Verse
1- And the Lord sent Nathan to David…

Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” 3 But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’” 6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?” 7 They replied, “The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” 8 And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”
 
11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.12 Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. 14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
 
15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph's house. 18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” 19 So they went up to the steward of Joseph's house and spoke with him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food.21 And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man's money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, 22 and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph's house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, 25 they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
 
26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” 30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” 32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. 34 Portions were taken to them from Joseph's table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.
 
Meditation
Are you moved more by fear or faith in our Heavenly Father and His sovereign plan? Fear leads us to stand against others (fight), isolate from others (flee), or give into the current others create (freeze). Faith in our Father frees us to live in His plan and purpose for our lives.
 
The larger story of Joseph teaches the power of our Father’s loving providence to take what is meant for evil and use it for good (50:20). But in this scene we see famine ravaging the land and fear gripping the hearts of Jacob’s family.
 
Jacob’s sons were afraid of Joseph. Jacob was afraid of losing Benjamin. Joseph was afraid of being exposed and not getting to see his father again. Fear kept distance and division. A seed of hope is seen when Joseph’s compassion grows warm for his brother (30).
 
The chapter begins with severe famine and division and ends with feasting, merriment, and suspense. Will Joseph reveal himself and forgive his brothers? Will Joseph see his father again? 
 
The story of Joseph to this point has been characterized by fear leading to fighting between the brothers, fleeing by Joseph, and freezing by their father. The feasting seen in the final verses offers hope- Fear will not win in the end. After winter- spring! After famine- feasting! Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Faith in the steadfast love of our Father will lead to freedom.
  
Richly Dwelling
-Do you have the fruit of fear in your life- Friction with others, fracturing of relationships, or passively experiencing the consequences of other people’s sin?
 
-All we need is mustard seed faith to trust God- tiny faith in a BIG and FAITHFUL God! How can you return to God, having faith in Our Father’s love for you?
 
-Name the friction or fracturing in your life and relationships and ask the Lord to redeem and reconcile. You can trust our Father’s sovereign plan for your life! He is making all things new.
 
Key Verse
14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”

“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
 
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
 
6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
 
12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
 
17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
 
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air,24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips,[d] Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
 
Paul Before the Council
30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
 
 
Meditation
Can you take a punch? The gospel is the power of God to those being saved! But it offends the religious and is folly to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).  Is the Church embracing the power of the gospel personally but afraid to share the gospel publicly for fear of confrontation? Are we afraid to take a punch?
 
Paul took some punches to proclaim the gospel of grace. Paul’s passionate plea to the people in Jerusalem is exemplary in many ways, not least of which is a pattern for our personal testimony (Highlighted HERE). Embedded in Paul’s proclamation is the deep offense of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Paul had been beaten by the mob (21) and wanted to give a defense (apologia -1). Paul shared the gospel with the people who had been punching him (2-21) and the gospel punched back. Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13) and when he proclaimed the purpose of the gospel was to reach all peoples (21) the people wanted to kill Paul (22).
 
We must love people, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Without love we are a noisy gong (1 Corinthians 13:1) but without truth we do not truly love the world. The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ will offend people but we need not fear receiving a punch for gospel proclamation. Welcome the persecution coming from loving and truthful proclamation and discover the blessing of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:10-12).
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are you afraid to take a punch for gospel proclamation? Why or why not?
 
-The gospel offends people but we should not be offensive in sharing the gospel with others. Love is always our lead! And truth must always follow as part of our love. Are you afraid to offend people by sharing the truth in love?
 
-Love is an essential ingredient to life transformation. Who in your life needs to hear and see the love of God in and through you? Share your story with them and do not be afraid to tell the truth.  Watch the Spirit work.
 
Key Verse
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 

​The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
 
Nehemiah's Prayer
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
Now I was cupbearer to the king.
 
Meditation
We are wise to deepen Divine dependence with our first step in crisis response being prayer. Before developing plans to connect people, ideas, and resources for redemptive restoration we must pray. When our first step in crisis response and restoration is prayer then we are more likely to walk by faith in our life and labor.
 
Nehemiah worked in the royal office of Persia as cupbearer to the King (11) @ 446 BC. The news of the “trouble and shame” of his homeland and people launched Nehemiah into lament and prayer.   
 
Nehemiah wept and fasted for days, praying to “The God of Heaven” (4) after receiving word of the ruined walls of Jerusalem (1-3). When was the last time the brokenness of others or a city broke you or me? Nehemiah was touched in his soul by the brokenness of Jerusalem and poured his heart out in prayer. The substance of his prayer should shape ours:
 
Nehemiah focuses on the character of God who is faithful to keep His covenant, showing steadfast love by not abandoning His people (5). Nehemiah confesses sin, unfaithfulness and rebellion, numbering himself with his countrymen who need to confess (6-7). Nehemiah claims the promises of God who will restore (8-9) before he petitions for God’s mercy to bless his steps of faith to participate in God’s work of redemptive restoration (9-10).
 
Prayer is an essential first step in responding to crisis. Deepening Divine dependency will develop more faithful and fruitful participation in God’s work of redemptive restoration.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you feel the pain and brokenness of others and the city you live in? Why or why not?
 
-How does a first step of prayer empower us to walk in faith? Why are we hesitant to pray?
 
-I encourage you to take a moment to follow Nehemiah’s pattern of prayer to enhance your prayers. You will see how beginning with a focus on the Character of God and moving to celebrating His covenant faithfulness, confessing your sin, claiming His promises, and petitioning for mercy will deepen your Divine dependency! Be sure to ask the Lord to use you for His work of redemptive restoration.
 
Key Verse
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.