Hi everyone, it's Nancy with your Wednesday Daily Walk.
We read in Nehemiah this past Sunday how God drew his people together and led them to pause from all that they were doing in rebuilding the wall and their lives to be still and listen as Ezra read God's word to them.
And we saw how that impacted them even to the point of weeping.
And yet they were encouraged to not dwell on their sadness, their guilt, or their shame for not following his word or obeying his commands, but rather to experience joy as they listened and understood God's love, his grace, and his mercy.
And as they moved forward, celebrating his goodness and his leading in their lives.
These people were trying to rebuild their city, their homes, their lives, their families, and their future.
And God knew they needed to hear from him through his word, to be reminded of his greatness, his power, his provision to them, and to those who would come before them.
To remember how he had brought his people through challenge after challenge, to remember his commandments to them, the guide he gave them, and how he wanted them to live, to work, to worship, the promises he gave to all who would love him and follow him.
In essence, to draw close and abide in him.
And we're no different today.
We face challenges of all types in our lives, and it's easy to get caught up in our own plans for how to deal with them, or to become overwhelmed or discouraged when we don't know what to do, to neglect spending time in God's word asking him to guide us.
But if we would just be still, quiet our minds, and open our hearts, we would hear him telling us to turn to his word where we'll find evidence of his love, his power, his protection, and his provision.
In his word, we'll find his commands to us about how to live our lives in a way that will honor him.
I ask him to lead me to the passages he wants me to focus on.
The more we spend time not just talking to him, but also listening to him and applying what he shows us, the closer our relationship will be, and the more we will experience his joy in our lives.
Listen to the words of Jesus recorded in John 15, verses 8 through 11.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.
Abide in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Amen.