Tues.’s Devo - Faithfulness

Read: Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 14:1-10; Provervbs 21:13 The leaders finished addressing the people. They had reminded them of the history of their nation - the promises and patience of God in the face of their rebellion. When they were faithful to the Lord, he had been more than faithful to them blessing them and honoring them in the earth. When they refused to worship and obey Him he gave them the curses that he had laid out in his Word. God had been totally true to his promises in every way. ***They made a solemn promise in writing and sealed with their names signed to it pledging their allegiance to God and all he had told them to do in the law. They would not intermarry outside of their people or allow their children to to so. They would not carry on any business on the Sabbath. They would pay the annual Temple tax that would go to the general care of the Temple. They would keep the Temple supplied with wood for the sacrifices. They would bring their first fruits into the Temple where one tenth of it would go to pay the priests. In conclusion they promised not to neglect the Temple of the Lord. *** Paul explained that our life is our gift to Christ. Paul chose to live his life as a slave to Christ. He became like the people around him to relate to them so they might hear his message. He buffeted his body and gave up his own will to do this. *** Paul reminded them of the children of Israel. They had all been led out of bondage. They were led by God’s glory cloud and the rock which was Christ, and yet not all of them had heart that were right with God. They, too could get caught up in hanging out with Christians but not becoming one in their hearts. The children of Israel were sinners so they craved to sin. They worshipped idols, indulged in pagan parties and sexual immorality. They grumbled against the Lord and his leaders and God had to punish them. Paul warned them not to do the same. *** Temptations are universal but God will strengthen us to withstand them if we ask for help. He will show us a way out of them or a way through them. He is our salvation over everything that Satan throws at us. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. *** Lord, help us to remember this. Our power is in You and You alone. Through You we can go through rivers of difficulty and not drown and through fires of oppression and not get burned.