Memorise: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10
Read: Nehemiah 5:14-19
14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions.
15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and [a]we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.
17 And at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us.
18 Now that which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
19 Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Bible in one year: Psalm 17–20, Matthew 21: 12-27
AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL
1. God desires that we boldly come before His throne of grace to express ourselves with sincerity of heart and purpose (Hebrews 4:16, Job 38:1-3).
2. Apostle Peter is one child of God who was sincere. He did not pretend as though he did not know what he wanted from God. After Jesus discussed the price of being His disciple, Peter boldly and sincerely asked Him what would be the gain of those who paid this high price. Here is Jesus’ response in Matthew 19:28-29: “…Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
3. The Holy Spirit also corroborates this truth in today’s memory verse. The essence of these promises of reward is to encourage you not to be weary in well doing.
4. In today’s Bible reading, there is another classic examples of someone who would not settle for pains without gain. Nehemiah knew that the God he served was not unrighteous as to not reward him handsomely for his labour and sacrifice in His vineyard. For this reason, he consistently prayed to God to remember him for good.
5. He was not like the older brother of the prodigal son, who served his father without asking for his reward as a faithful son (Luke 15:11-31).
6. Let’s take a closer look at Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah 5:18-19: “Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”
7. This prayer reveals the sacrifice Nehemiah consciously made to get the project of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls done. He boldly stated his case to the One who alone could reward him richly.
8. This is a great lesson for children of God who are laboring day and night in God’s vineyard and have nothing to show for it because they do not ask Him for a reward. James 4:2 says “You have not, because you ask not.”
9. I pray that the Almighty God will reward your labour of love as you begin to ask of Him from today in Jesus’ name.
SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS
Paul the Apostle said it well “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 15:58 . One assurance that we have in the Almighty God whenever we work for Him is victory. When you understand the promises of God for being a faithful servant, you become unmovable and steadfast in well doings. May God continually strengthen and empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.
Prayer Point: Father, as I labour in Your vineyard, please remember me for good in Jesus’ Name
Hymn
(Tune: There shall be showers of blessing)
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.
Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.
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Joesphine Ehigie
TJ