Friday January 29, 2021

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 12:27-43

On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy. The women and children also celebrated, and Jerusalem’s rejoicing was heard far away.

Nehemiah 12:43

Reflection: What we are blessed to receive freely from the Lord we are called to give back to Him in gratitude. For nothing that we could ever dedicate to God in earnest is what He does not already own. Dedicating anything to God is acknowledging Him for all that we possess, and expressing the desire to use these blessings to honor Him. After the Israelites have finished the restoration of the Jerusalem’s City Wall, they dedicate all of this construction to the Lord. The people recognize that it is by His Hand that it has been constructed, and for His Purpose that it has been rebuilt.

When God entrusts His blessings to us, it is because He wants us to use them for His Glory. He knows best what good can come from the gifts of His storehouse. Therefore, as we count our blessings, we should take care also to ask God how He desires for us to use them. Our dedication to all the things of God can be proclaimed in great and joyful celebration, as in the case of the Israelites, or can be given over in humble and private surrender. Either way, it is when we give over to God what He has freely given to us that our blessings are truly used for good.

Prayer: Loving and generous God, thank You for all of my blessings. It is only by Your gracious Hand that I have received earthly and heavenly blessings in abundance. I am grateful to know Your steadfast Faithfulness and eternal Care. Thank You for all that You have done and continue to do for me. I pray, Lord, that You would open my eyes to become more and more aware of Your Faithfulness upon me each day. Help me to see more clearly what You do by Your Mighty Hand. Help me to surrender each gift You’ve given for the purpose of Your Glory. In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Revelation 9; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 104:1-23