The Bible recounts the story of Nehemiah. He was a leader who mustered the community to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and bring restoration to the people after they had returned from the Babylonian captivity. However, they encountered great opposition and conflicts from the groups around them. They continuously faced hostility and repeated schemes to disrupt their progress. Against all odds, however, the people were successful in repairing and restoring the wall and security of the community with great speed. So, the people were grateful. They experienced God’s grace and truth. Therefore, they exuberantly worshiped God. They acknowledged God’s mercy and great grace.
Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;
For You are God, gracious and merciful.
(Nehemiah 9:31)
RELEVANCE
The people attributed their success to the overwhelming grace of God. Their enemies, on the other hand, were greatly upset with their success. David’s life also illustrates the powerful grace of God. He spent years running from a jealous king who pursued him to kill him. He also overcame numerous enemies who violently opposed him and were bent on entrapping him. So, he celebrated God’s favor and grace. He learned God’s truths. He knew it was God’s grace that brought him victory after victory.
He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
(Psalm 18:17-21)
I’ve experienced God’s grace and truth in similar ways. While working in one sales capacity, I survived 5 bosses who didn’t like my ways of doing business over a period of 14 years. I served my customers and won their business according to God’s higher ethical standards. I put telling the truth above embellishing claims and integrity over compromise. My bosses didn’t like the fact that I didn’t say the things they wanted me to say and represented our product differently. My priority was representing God in working according to His higher ways. My bosses couldn’t argue with my success, the praise of my customers and year after year top achievement. Like David, God brought me and kept me in a broad place.
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
Reflect on times you feel peace inside vs. anxiety. To what do you attribute both feelings? Compare how you feel when you know inside you have done what you know is right vs. compromising to appease somebody who didn’t really appreciate you. Reflect on God’s grace and truth through the scriptures below and receive God’s love as you do!
REFERENCES
Psalm 18; Psalm 25; Psalm 37; Psalm 118; Matthew 5:43-48; Galatians 6:7-10; James 4:17