Nehemiah 13
What are your thoughts for the last day of 2012? How has the year been for you? Was it fruitful? Exciting? Disappointing? Sad?
However the year was like for each and everyone of us, we can be sure of three things:
1. Each of us was given the same number of days in the year.
2. There are lessons God wishes us to learn from whatever happened in the year.
3. In order to live next year in a manner more pleasing to God, we need to do some major soul searching and make some firm resolutions for our spiritual growth.
The last chapter of Nehemiah, which we happen to be reading today, serves as a good platform for this reflection and resolution. Let us turn to it first.
Bible Passage: Nehemiah 13
Separation
So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel. (Verse 3)
Maybe one of the first things we can consider is how much we have actually been separated from the things of this world. Remember when Jesus said we are in the world but not of the world? Although there are many things we need to do in this world, let’s reconsider what we are doing and our purpose in doing them.
Are we separated like God would like us to, being a distinct character in our speech, actions and values among our non-believing colleagues and classmates, or are we no different from them? How bright a light were we this past year and how can we make ourselves even brighter next year?
Reformation
So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place. (Verse 11)
In order to shine bright, there are certain things we might need to change in ourselves.
Can it be our bad temper? What about our laziness and bad habit of procrastinating? (So me) Maybe it’s our lack of patience? Or it could even be our obsession with some pop group, be it K, J, C or B pop. What about the things we post and ‘like’ on Facebook? The list truly is endless.
Let us use the Word of God to ‘contend’ with ourselves and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to be victorious so that our light next year will be brighter and we don’t lose our ‘salty’ taste.
Purification
Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service (Verse 30)
Before we enter into the new year, let us make use of the remaining time we have in 2012 to do some spiritual spring cleaning. Starting from our hearts and minds, we adjust our thoughts and values to steer ourselves closer to God. Let us invite God to search us; create a new heart and renew a steadfast spirit in us in preparation for a ‘Godful’ new year 🙂