October 13, 2016: SOAP #2506:  Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them… But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore, you did not desert them, 18 even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies. 19 “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

Observation:    The Israelites had abandoned their God even when they were totally dependent on Him!   Not a smart move!   If God had stopped the supply of manna, or the water from the rock they would have all died in the wilderness.  Even though God was angry with them, He did not stop supplying their daily needs.  The cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not stop.

Application:   I too have found God to be forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love!   Even when I have refused His directions, He has not abandoned me.  He has not stopped leading me nor providing for me!   What a faithful God.  It makes me want to be more faithful in following Him!   He is obviously worthy of my devotion!

Prayer:   Lord, you are worthy of my devotion and obedience.  What an honor to follow you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!