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| Tues. February 9 |
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| SCRIPTURE READING: Nehe?miah 1:5-7 |
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| KEY VERSE: O Lord, . . . let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying (Neh. 1:5-6).
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| A Covenant of Love |
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Nehemiah 1:5-11 is the first and longest of nine prayers of Nehemiah recorded in the book. The others are in 2:4; 4:4?5; 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 29, and 31. What can we learn from his prayer that might encourage us as we pray?
Nehemiah prayed out of a profound understanding of God. Some well-meaning, but misguided folks say that all that matters is knowing God, not knowing about God. Nehemiah could not have prayed as he did without knowing about the character and story of God. Great and awesome. Available 24/7. Loyal and loving.
The Hebrew word translated "love" in "covenant of love" here is hesed (HEE-sed). It may mean loyalty, loving-kindness, devoted-faithfulness, mercy, or grace. Such "love" is more than syrupy sentimentality. As hesed, "love" is not a feeling; it is a free and gracious act. It moves beyond the call of duty to assist even those who don't deserve it.
Nehemiah knew he was from a family of sinful, disobedient, and forgetful people. But he also knew God remembered His "covenant of love." The God who keeps His promises can be counted on, not only to hear, but to act on our prayers.
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| George Lyons |
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| SING TO THE LORD |
I have proven Him true;
What He says, He will do.
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| "He Never Has Failed Me Yet" by W. J. Henry |
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| REACH OUT IN PRAYER |
| Developing Christian leaders in Nepal. |
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| THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
| "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin" (Exod. 34:6-7). |
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| THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR |
| Leviticus 1-4 |
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All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Http://www.WordAction.com |
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