Nehemiah 1:8-9

Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.
Nehemiah 1:8-9

As Nehemiah hears of all the trouble that has come upon God’s people because of their disobedience, one thing stands out to me. You do not find Nehemiah appealing to God with a promise to do better. He doesn’t pray, “Oh God, we promise if you help us, we will be faithful and obey you from now on!” Instead he relies on God’s promises to His people, found in the scriptures, and he prays, “Lord, I remember what you said to Moses, That if the people are unfaithful You would discipline us and scatter us among the nations. But You also said that if we return to You and keep Your commandments, even though we are scattered, You would bring us back together to the place were You put Your name, to Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah knew God’s word, His commandments, and His promises, and it became the hope that he was able to stand upon. We can make commitments and promises to God that we will do better when we have gone astray, but it’s far better to trust upon God’s promise to restore those who repent and turn to Him.

So know God’s word, His commandments, and His promises. They will be a standard for you to live by, a foundation for you to stand on, and a place to run in times of trouble.

Pastor Doug Hardin