Nehemiah asks God to “remember.” It’s not that God has forgotten or could forget. Rather, Nehemiah is laying out the basis of his plea. He has boldness to ask of God not because he is worthy or deserving or has any reason in himself to request. His confidence rests in the unshakable promises of God and the unchanging God of promise. There is something more to prayer than the bottom line. In a sense, the prayer is in the process.

“[I]f My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV)
Nehemiah still hasn’t gotten to his request of God. We will learn that he is not only grieved by the state of disrepair of the city he loves, but he wants to do something about it. His reflex is to turn to the God of heaven. He will ask God to grant him success in the eyes of the king for the mission of rebuilding he wants to undertake. But he has yet in his prayer to get to the point, although perhaps that is point.
Often in prayer, we cut to the chase, quick to ask that we may receive. We are not very adept at wrestling with God, laying our hearts bare before him, grappling with all the things that weigh upon us and the realities we face. We don’t spend time working through our troubles with God, reminding ourselves of His character and His assurances, magnifying His name.
Nehemiah has been open and honest about the sin of Israel. It is their own fault that Jerusalem is in ruins and the people in exile. God had warned them repeatedly, but they refused to listen. They had been unfaithful. They were covenant breakers. But God’s steadfast love would not be deterred. His purposes in redemption would not be frustrated.
In wrestling with God, Nehemiah lays these truths on the table, not to challenge God but to bring to bear His precious promises.
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Nehemiah adopts the posture of one who can make no demands, who will assert no rights. He casts himself upon the good pleasure of the God of heaven. He prays as a leader on behalf of a sinful people, among whom he counts himself. He does not cover up the sin that should disqualify him from seeking God but instead confesses it and runs to God who has extended the scepter of mercy, access, and promise. 

O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. (Psalm 65:2, NKJV)
How do you typically begin your prayers? Do you refer to God in the same way each time, perhaps “Father” or “Holy Lord” or “Almighty God”? In the model prayer Jesus taught us, He has us enter the presence of God by addressing Him as “our Father in heaven” and “Father” is a favorite appellation for Him, as can be seen in His high priestly prayer of John 17.
When Nehemiah heard the hard news of the state of his countrymen and of Jerusalem, he was moved to tears and moved to cry out to the “God of heaven,” the living and true God who ruled on high over all things. Now, as he turns to prayer, how does he begin?
He begins with a double name, invoking the generic name for God (Elohim) and the name of covenant bond (Yahweh). He is the God who has entered into personal relationship with a particular people. In using those names it is tantamount to invoking God’s invitation to access, “I am God, your God, and you are My people,” much like we would use the name “Father” to testify to our personal adoptive relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
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In this series, we will follow the flow of prayer through the book of Nehemiah and look to apply what we learn to our own work for the sake of the kingdom of God. While in Acts corporate prayer is featured, it is the personal prayer of leadership that we find in Nehemiah. Yet in either case, the object of our prayer is the same – complete and continual dependence upon the living God. 

Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! (Psalm 118:25, ESV)
The Bible seems to connect building projects with prayer. Our Lord Jesus assures us that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Yet He would have us pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the field, and engage ourselves in the building project.
We see the primacy of prayer at work in the establishment and growth of the new covenant church recorded in Acts. The first act of the apostles after Christ’s ascension was to gather in prayer. Assembled in an upper room, the apostles “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14).
It was clear from the outset that the building of the church was the job of the triune God. The followers of Jesus might be the ones who sowed the seed, mulched it with truth, and watered it in prayer, but it would be God who would bring growth and fruitfulness. Good soil that would produce a crop would come from the Holy Spirit promised by the risen Christ, for the saving purposes of a sovereign God.
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Our hope lives because Christ lives. Our hope cannot fail because Christ cannot die. He lives and reigns in victory. The writer of Hebrews describes our hope in objective terms in reference to the finished work of Christ. 

“… according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3)
Electric cars have been in the news quite a bit lately, particularly with gas prices going through the roof. One area of concern, however, has been how far EVs can travel on a single charge. Even the most capable of batteries holds the potential of leaving a driver stranded when their charge is depleted.
As Christians, we do not need to be worried about the power needed to reach our destination. Peter tells us we are powered now by the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. Ours is a living hope.
What is a living hope? First, let’s understand what hope is. Hope is not wishful thinking. “I hope it doesn’t rain.” “I hope my team makes the playoffs.” That sort of hope is more hope-so. It carries no assurance, only possibility at worst and probability at best. It offers no certainty.
The hope Peter has in mind is something completely different. It carries absolute certainty. Ours is not a hope-so hope but a know-so hope. It engenders confident expectation, assured conviction, and vibrant certainty. It will neither fail nor will it disappoint.
From our experience, even the surest of things can fail.
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James’ problem with the rich is not their money but their master. In serving money they oppressed the poor, ran roughshod over the helpless, and exploited whomever they could for their own gain. Rejecting the model of the Master, they sought to be served rather than to serve. 

FAITH AT WORK: Devotions through the book of James

You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. (James 5:5, ESV)
My guess is that we won’t find James 5:1 in one of those verse-a-day packets: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you” (James 5:1). Yet that verse and the contrast it presents captures the tension we face each and every day as disciples of Jesus Christ, seeking of first importance the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Earlier in his letter, James discourages believers from discrimination on the basis of station. He says they should not give preference in the assembly to a man wearing fine clothes over someone sporting shabby clothing. Beyond the level playing field of all being mired in the same sin and all being in need of the same grace, James levels particular criticism of the rich. “Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?” (James 2:6)
Now as he winds down his letter, James addresses the rich themselves. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days” (James 5:1–3).
What is James’ problem with those who have wealth?
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James lays great stress on faith. Trials both prove our faith (to be authentic) and improve our faith (strengthen). Our journey in this world is by faith in our King and His kingdom, and that journey can be an arduous one. Yet the light is not merely at the end of the tunnel; it is with us in the tunnel directing us in the way of righteousness, and dispelling the darkness to give us peace and joy. 

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.But let patience have its perfect work,that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.(James 1:2–4, NKJV)
When my children were little we would sometimes eat at McDonald’s, back in the day when the Happy Meal prizes were impressive, even collector’s items. One of those prizes was an Inspector Gadget figurine that was assembled by parts found in various Happy Meals. Each part, such as an arm or a leg, had its own unique function, and when assembled made a complete Inspector Gadget.
James gives us that sort of picture for how the Spirit of God is building us to be like Jesus. Various trials that we encounter in the course of our lives are unique opportunities to contribute to the whole of becoming like Jesus.
That’s why when we face trials of various kinds, intensities, and durations we can consider it all joy.
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If have been brought into the kingdom of God and bowed the knee before Jesus Christ as our Lord, we are to conform our will to His, to follow His directives, and be grounded and growing in Him. 

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught.Colossians 2:6–7, NKJV
What does adulthood look like? Likely most of us would agree on certain standards like physical development that comes with age, becoming responsible members of society, and establishment of a household of our own.
But what about spiritual adulthood, where we are no longer children? What are the hallmarks of that maturity?
Paul describes maturity as a goal under the shepherding supervision of pastors. Notice the flow of ministry he lays out for pastor/teachers: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph, 4:12–13, ESV).
The measures of spiritual adulthood are unity of the one faith, knowledge of Jesus, and Christ being formed in us.
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We are to forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven us. We forgive as an expression of the kingdom and in the power of the kingdom. Freely dispensing the healing properties of forgiveness is one of the ways we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We look to overlook offenses and give grace in the model of God to us. Forgiveness is a discipline of the kingdom of God. 

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32, NKJV)
From his imprisonment, John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to ask of Jesus: “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Luke 7:19). Jesus didn’t reply to John’s question with a simple “yes.” Rather, He answered John by having him take stock of what he has witnessed. “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Luke 7:22).
Jesus was assuring John that the kingdom of God had indeed come. He was the promised Messiah.
What did Jesus point to in order to convince John? He pointed to healing. The fall of the world under the dominion of sin had wreaked havoc on what God had created. The intrusion of sin had brought misery, alienation, disorder, decay, and death.
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The heart of spiritual warfare has to do with seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness as opposed to seeking the kingdom of the world from which we have been delivered. That warfare takes place in our walk with Christ, and our work for Him. Paul explains: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)” (Eph. 5:8–9; see also Titus 2:11-14; 1 Thess. 2:18). 

… to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light,and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sinsand an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.(Acts 26:17–18, NKJV)
How would you react if you heard this news alert? “A criminal has escaped and is on the loose in your neighborhood. He is a convicted murderer. Be alert and on guard. He is a master of disguise. Do not open the door.”
My guess is you would be on high alert.
That is precisely our situation as we live in what Paul calls “this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). Peter urges us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
It’s been like this since the beginning, not the creation of the world but the beginning of existence in a fallen world. After Adam and Eve succumbed to the wiles of the serpent, they were exiled from the Garden of Eden. What would life be like on the other side of the fall?
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The kingdom of God has been commenced. It is this reality that defines our lives, directs our steps, and encourages our hearts for life in this fallen world that is in opposition to God and His Christ. As God’s people we are called to overcome, to stand against the forces of a fallen world and to strive for the advancement of the kingdom of God. We fight not for victory but in victory, overcoming by the blood of the Lamb. 

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father,to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 1:5–6, NKJV)
How does the book of Revelation contribute to our perspective on the kingdom of God? We can answer this question by considering the way our vision works. My wife recently had cataract surgery. She was given several lens replacement options. She chose to have a distance lens put in one eye and a close lens in the other. That would leave it up to her brain to figure things out so that she could focus near and far.
That’s how Revelation works to give us perspective in relation to the kingdom of God. On the one hand, we see the kingdom of God present in power. Through rich symbolism and biblical imagery and prophetic word, we are shown Jesus Christ who lives and reigns on high. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the root of David. And He has conquered and has begun to reign.
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