“If You Are Unfaithful, I Will Scatter You”
When I heard these words I
sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of
heaven. I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps
covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments;
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant
that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of
Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned
against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply,
failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you
commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant
Moses, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you
return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are
under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the
place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’ They are your servants and
your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. O
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servants who delight in
revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in
the sight of this man!”
At the time, I was
cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah
1:4-11
God’s people had been
exiled to Babylon. All they had were memories of the days when God’s favor was
on them. Jerusalem was in ruins because a blessed people had been exploiting
the weak, not caring for the land entrusted to them. In addition, they were
simply going about the motions of worshipping God.
God loved His people too
much to let them continue harming themselves and others. God had them “do time”
in Babylon. He helped them see what can happen when a blessed people get caught
up in a life that leaves God out of the picture. And today, He will do what it
takes to help us see that as well!
God
gives blessing to us so we can give glory to Him.
Our Daily Bread – June 20, 2008