Category: Building a Faith-filled Life

Slinging Trash

Nehemiah 4-7

Devotion by Telva Elwell (South Carolina)

Have you ever been ridiculed, called embarrassing names, laughed at, or pretty much just made to feel like you just wanted to crawl in a hole?  Suppose you were doing something important and putting your whole heart into it. Did you want to throw your arms up in the air and give up? If this has happened to you, you are in good company. The weapon of ridicule has been around for a long time. Remember the Day of Pentecost when the disciples were called “drunks” (Acts 2:13), and later when Paul the Apostle was called a “babbler” (Acts 17:18).   Those doing good and important things may feel ashamed or discouraged and thus abandon their work.  Sadly, many times ridicule does work, but not in the case of the Apostles, Paul, or even Nehemiah.

You might ask, why do people resort to such hurtful behavior?  The answer is simple: They have no other weapons.  They may “sling trash” simply to be mean or hurtful, or they may be trying to discourage you from your good work. Such was the case of Nehemiah. Let’s look at how he responded to the ridicule he experienced.

Nehemiah had given up a lot to go to Jerusalem, but he was on a sacred mission.  He was going to do the impossible and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rebuild the gates.  If he had submitted a resume for this job, he probably would not have gotten the job.  After all, he was a cupbearer. A cupbearer, for goodness sake!  He was not someone who was handy with building tools and blueprints.  He was the perfect candidate to receive ridicule and fail.  If Paul was a “babbler” and the other apostles were “drunks”, then Nehemiah was a “babbling drunk” — except for the fact that he was getting the job done.

Sometimes seeing someone accomplish a task, especially a huge task, makes people angry, fearful, and jealous.  Enter Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem.  (Neh. 2)  These three musketeers had a mission also, and it was in direct conflict with the mission of Nehemiah.  If this was a play, they were the discouragers and naysayers.  They heard about the mission to restore Jerusalem and were determined to oppose the work.  And they began immediately.  Nehemiah had just given the peptalk to his workers when these three discouragers showed up.  Nehemiah reports, “they jeered at us and despised us”, then they asked, “What are you doing?  Are you rebelling against the King?” (2:19) Their tactic was ridicule and then tossing in seeds of doubt and false accusation for good measure.  How would Nehemiah respond? How should he respond?

Nehemiah’s choices were: One: ignore the ridicule or, Two: Debate with the men and try to convince them that they were wrong.  Nehemiah chose neither.  He simply told them like it was. He told them (1) The God of Heaven will make us prosper. (2) His servants will arise and build. (3) You have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem. (2:20).  For a while Nehemiah’s words to them seemed to work.  The Jews were able to accomplish much and build back the gates of Jerusalem. (chpt 3).  But do you really think that the three musketeers were done?  If so, think again.

Sanballat and his foolish friends found it necessary to somehow end the work of the Jews in Jerusalem because they feared them and what they might do to them.  If Jerusalem was made strong, they would be weak (and less wealthy). Seeing the gates of Jerusalem being rebuilt caused them fear and anxiety.

So, once again, Sanballat and his sidekicks took out their childish games playbook and began calling the Jerusalem builders names.  They attempted to taunt them by calling the workers “feeble” implying they were miserably weak old people.   They continued their name calling by implying they were also stupid people because they were building a weak and worthless city wall. Tobiah undoubtedly thought he was funny and clever when he suggested that the wall was so weak that if a fox walked on it, the wall would tumble to the ground.  (4:1-3) Truthfully, many of the builders were discouraged, but they persevered. 

 Nevertheless, Nehemiah prayed, “Turn back their taunt on their own heads.” (4:4) Eventually, their taunts will come back to haunt them, just as Nehemiah prayed.

 “So, they built the wall…” (4:6)

Sanballat and his buddies continued to attempt to hinder Nehemiah’s work on the wall by various means, but at each turn their attempts were met with defeat.  Nehemiah continued to lead the work, and he ignored the childish mischief.  The insults, the rude name calling, the ridicule—the trash slinging failed to work! 

“So, the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty-two days!” (6:15)

The next time you feel you are being pursued by troublemakers as you do the work that God has given you to do, remember Nehemiah.

 And remember 52 days.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you ever been the victim of someone’s unkind words?  How did those words make you feel?
  2. How did you respond?  Did you throw unkind words right back at them?  What is the best way to respond?
  3. Do you think Nehemiah responded properly?  If he had responded by returning insult for insult, arguing, debating, or giving up the work, how would the builders have felt and responded?  How would the trash slingers feel?
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Ask Me if I Care

Nehemiah 1-3

Devotion by Telva Elwell (South Carolina)

When someone says, “Ask me if I care”, it is generally said in a sarcastic manner, leading us to believe that this individual does not care.  “Why would I care about that?”  (That situation does not affect me.)  “What’s the point?” (Nothing is going to change.) “I have better things to be concerned about.”  (My life is more important.)  “My life is good, so why should I worry about someone else’s troubles?” (Let everyone take care of their own business.) I bet every one of us has said or thought these things at least once in our lives.  I know I have, and sadly, I felt justified in feeling that way.

It was probably an ordinary day in the life of Nehemiah, if there was such a thing for Nehemiah.  After all, he was the cupbearer for a powerful king.  He stood in his presence every day, making sure his needs were all taken care of. It was a cushy job with a lot of perks and great benefits. Lucky Nehemiah, right?   But along comes his dear brother, Hanani, to visit Nehemiah.  It was good to see him, I am sure, but Nehemiah’s life was about to be upended in an unexpected way!  Perhaps foolishly Nehemiah inquired about the Jews (his people) who had survived the exile and the condition of the city of Jerusalem, expecting good news or maybe a simple answer like, “Oh, things could be better” with a shrug of the shoulders.  End of discussion.  Instead, what he heard was, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame.  The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” (1:3).  Was this Nehemiah’s problem?  After all, it had happened a while ago and now Nehemiah had a great position with the King and lived 800 or more miles away from all of that. Kind of like, out of sight, out of mind. How easily, and perhaps justifiably, Nehemiah could have wished them the best and continued living his happy life.  Who would have blamed him? We would have done the same. Right? Deep inside, Nehemiah might be thinking, “Why would I care about that?”

Instead, however, as soon as Nehemiah heard their words, he “sat down and wept and mourned for days and continued fasting and praying before the God of Heaven.” (vs 4) It is hard to deny the fact that Nehemiah was filled with sorrow and empathy.  But does he really care?  How far will this caring take him?  What can he really do anyway, being that he is working for a powerful king in Persia many miles away from Jerusalem?

Nehemiah could not let it go.  He had to do something. This is where it got tricky for Nehemiah.  He could not just say, “I can’t do anything to help.”  He could not just say, “My work in the palace is more important.”  He had to do something.  So, he went to the King to get his permission to take a leave of absence and to go to Jerusalem. That was the tricky part because the King had every right to refuse his request. Through the work of the Lord, however, the King granted him permission.  Then, because he was ill-prepared to rebuild the wall of the city, he would have to figure out how to accomplish that, and how to lead the band of survivors in that task.  Nehemiah was willing to leave the safety and comfort of the palace for living in a ruined city.  He did so, without excuses as to why he could not build the wall and gates of Jerusalem, and he did it in 52 days because of his faith in the God of Heaven! He did it because he cared.

It is safe to say that we will never be faced with such a monumental task.  Such a task comes seldom, and only to a man like Nehemiah.  But we are faced with important tasks, nonetheless.  People are hurting, they have needs, they need a gentle hand, a listening ear, they need someone to pray for them and with them, or maybe your church has a Sunday School class without a teacher.

We are not Nehemiah, but we can be like him.

We can care.

Reflection Questions

1. Are there times when it is okay to genuinely not care?  Are caring and doing inseparable?  Are there times when it is okay not to help?  Does that mean you don’t care?

    2. What are your first thoughts when you are asked to help with something important?  Do you first think about all the reasons that would make you unable to help? Are all those reasons real or just excuses?  Or do you first consider the ways/solutions that would make you able to help? Is prayer part of your process?

    3. How would have things turned out if Nehemiah had decided he really didn’t care or simply did not want to help?

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    We Need More Ezras

    Ezra 7-10

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    The name Ezra comes from a Hebrew word that means “help.” Ezra was a man of integrity, trusted by the king. Most importantly, though, Ezra was a man of God. He committed himself to knowing the Word of God. In Ezra chapter 7, verse 10, it says, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” So not only did Ezra study the Word, but he lived it out so he could share his knowledge and heart with others – in this way he embodied what it truly means to be a helper. 

    Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:2 to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” This is exactly what Ezra did. He knew the Word so he could then go out and teach it. When Ezra is sent by the king to Jerusalem, he finds the Israelites in bad shape. They had been disobedient to God, neglecting all of His ways. Ezra was equipped and ready to handle this unexpected discovery because He knew God’s word inside and out. He set about helping the Israelites find their way back to God. He was a true leader; he cared about people, lifted them up, prayed for their repentance, taught them the Word, and showed them how to live out a life of faith. 

    In all areas of my life, I want to be like Ezra. I pray and hope people see me as someone with integrity, someone they can trust. I want to know God’s word and keep it in my heart, so I am prepared to help in all seasons. Above all, I want to share God with others and proclaim His goodness, mercy and love.

    Reflection Questions:

    1. Have you committed yourself to knowing the Word? How do you study it? How do you best commit it to your heart?
    2. Have you ever known a great leader? In what ways was this person like Ezra? What wisdom did that person impart to you?
    3. This world needs more Ezras. How can you be more like Ezra today in your walk with God?
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    Pride’s Downfall

    Esther 5-10

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    Proverbs 16:18 says: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” I think the perfect poster child for this proverb is none other than Haman, the villain of the book of Esther. 

    Haman had a lot of plans, didn’t he? He plotted and schemed and thought he had everything locked in. He was the king’s right hand man and proud to be in that position. 

    But, when his true colors were revealed to the king, he was taken down. And he fell hard. 

    We might look at Haman’s story and think, “Of course! I saw that coming. If only he’d read Proverbs 16.” But, as we see in Jesus’s words in Matthew 7, sometimes we can’t see the log in our own eye. 

    I’m not immune to feeling prideful. It comes out in me sometimes, and I’m willing to bet that it comes out in you, too. It’s so easy to spot and talk about someone else’s sin. But it’s not easy when we have to face our own. 

    So when we feel pride creeping in, what do we do? Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Every good thing we have, every good thing we are…is God’s. He is the source, and recognizing that we can do nothing apart from Him is humbling. And it halts pride right in its tracks. 

    Reflection Questions:

    1. Have you ever had, or witnessed in someone else, a downfall from pride?
    2. How do we protect our hearts against what Proverbs 16:18 warns us about? Is there a Scripture that speaks to you about this? 
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    For His Purposes

    Esther 1-4

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    Sometimes (usually in the midst of a scuffle with technology) I wonder if living in 2025 is really for me. Maybe I would have been more suited for life in the 1800s, living life on the prairie. But then I remember how much I love indoor plumbing. 

    I kid, but in all seriousness I wonder, do you ever feel this way, too? Why are you placed in the here and now? For me, feeling equipped doesn’t always come easy. My guess is that you often feel the same. The world moves quickly and so much is happening…and sometimes I feel a bit helpless. What can I even contribute to the story? Where is my place here?

    I bet this, in part, is what Esther wrestled with when Mordecai relays to her in chapter 4, verse 14, “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

    At first, she was in fear of her life, knowing that if she approached the king she would likely be put to death. In no way did she feel prepared to do what Mordecai asked of her – as if she was in a position to approach the king as anyone special. But, when Mordecai reminds her of what is at stake, she is convicted and courageously decides to take action. 

    I want to confront my insecurities and fears like Esther. Whether I’m facing a small task or a life-altering one, I want to show up for God. Because He told me, I know that I am made in His image, and He has placed me here, in this place and at this moment, for His purposes. I want to be an instrument He can use to further His Kingdom. How about you?

    Reflection Questions:

    1. Have you ever felt inadequate or out of place? What did you do in response to that? 
    2. Has there been a time in your life when you were called to be brave, like Esther, beyond your own strength? How did you experience God in that moment?
    3. What is God calling you to do today? How can you be courageous and embrace what He has for you?
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    Anticipation

    Zechariah 10-14

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    Anticipation. It’s the worst. But it’s also the best. On one hand, being hopeful and excited about an upcoming event can be agonizing. On the other, you can feel joy and peace in the waiting. 

    The end of the book of Zechariah paints a vibrant picture for us of the return of Jesus. It tells us what it will look like – his feet on the Mount of Olives, the mountain split into two, his light illuminating all the earth, living waters flowing. But, the book doesn’t reveal a crucial part – the when. No one knows the day or the hour of Jesus’ return, and if you are anything like me, this can drive you a little crazy. I’m filled with so much awe and wonder when I read these verses and meditate on what is to come. But I can’t escape wondering about the when. 

    However, I do not want to be anxious about it. I don’t want to focus so much on the when that I neglect two other vital pieces – the who and the why. 

    See, when Jesus comes back, I want to be ready for him. Every day I want to know him more, love him more deeply and live more like he did. This is how I prepare. And, I want to be sure that those I love are found the same when he comes back. That is my calling. That is the who. 

    And the why? Because God loved us, He sent his son to save us. In focusing on that truth I can live each day trusting God that His timing is best. I don’t need to worry about when. I just need to do my part – preparing, praying, loving and serving. Because He loves me, and I can rest easily in that, waiting for His perfect timing.

    Reflection Questions:

    1. How do you handle anticipation?
    2. Who is your “who?”
    3. What is one way today that you can focus on the “why?”
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    Are You Ready?

    Zechariah 6-9

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    When was the last time you were faced with the question of readiness? Ready to make a career change, get married, have a baby, retire, begin a new ministry? When, if ever, are we 100% ready? If we’re honest, I’d say almost never. We can make the decision, though, to prepare ourselves and make progress every day towards that next step. Will we make mistakes? Yes. Will we stumble? Of course. But, if we commit our hearts, relying on God to guide us in the journey, we can trust that He will equip us for all we need. Like Paul reminds us in Romans, God works for the good of us in all things, as long as we are living for His purposes. 

    So today brings us again to Zechariah, and a similar question he asks the Israelites on behalf of God. He asks them if they are ready to be the kind of people ready to receive God’s Kingdom. The Lord says, “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely…” (Zech 8:16-17)

    Like asking ourselves if we are ready for the next step in this earthly life, Zechariah’s question is one we can ask ourselves today regarding our Kingdom life. Are we ready to be the kind of people ready to receive God’s new Kingdom here on earth? Our hearts should be thankful for His guidance and pure in our intentions, desiring to obey God’s word and striving to be the kind of people He calls us to be. 

    Reflection Questions:

    1. Are you ready to be ready for the Kingdom to come? Check your heart.
    2. What can you do today to become more ready than you were yesterday?
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    Return to the Lord Almighty

    Zechariah 1-5

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    We spent yesterday with Haggai urging the Israelites to obey God with a pure heart and focus on His coming Kingdom. Zechariah, another minor prophet, does something similar, encouraging the Israelites to rebuild the temple. 

    Here again, the Israelites are discouraged. Zechariah challenges them to not be like their ancestors, rebellious and disobedient. He reminds them that if they turn back to God, He will be with them. “Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech. 1:3)

    Zechariah has a series of God-brought nighttime visions, solidifying His promises to restore and protect His people and the city of Jerusalem, and to bring the promise of the Messiah to fruition. 

    Today, visions and dreams from God are far less common, or even do not occur at all, depending on one’s interpretation of the Word. We can’t expect God to give us clear visions while we sleep, but what we can do is remember that He left us his Word, which is 66 books of His goodness, His plans and His promises. Within these pages you’ll find the assurance that God is with us, that He promises to never leave us. He urges us to return to Him, and there we will find Him. Just like Zechariah encouraged the Israelites, so God encourages us. 

    Reflection Questions:

    1. Have you ever experienced a vision? Or, recall a time when Scripture spoke to you so strongly that it was as a vision. 
    2. Has there been a time in your life where you rebelled or were disobedient? What happened when you returned back to God?
    3. What is your favorite promise from God? Reflect on that today. 
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    Our Heart Matters

    Haggai 1-2

    Devotion by Carla Hardy (Michigan)

    Haggai is a short, two chapter book, but it packs a lot. Haggai was a minor prophet who urged the Israelites to do four things – reflect on their priorities, work in hope during hard circumstances, be humble and pure in their intentions and actions, and remain faithful for the coming kingdom. 

    Have you ever been in the midst of tackling a massive project? Perhaps a work, home improvement or church project? Sometimes these endeavors can feel so tedious, can’t they? Like you will never ever be done with the task and the finished product is hard to even fathom, a pinprick of light at the end of a long tunnel. In the midst of it all you’re likely very weary. You’re even considering taking some shortcuts just to get the thing done! If you’re solely relying on your human limits, you’re not seeing past the long days to the end result, which sounded so promising in earlier days. 

    The Israelites felt the same. Before they even began rebuilding the temple, they weren’t focusing on what God wanted from them, instead zeroing in on selfish endeavors. When they decided to rebuild, with Haggai’s prompting, it was a major undertaking. They felt like their efforts were fruitless and the days were difficult. They gave little effort to what they were told God wanted for them. They weren’t choosing to humbly submit to God and make the daily choice of obedience to Him. They just didn’t feel His vision anymore. 

    What Haggai is driving at is this – God has so much for us. But we need to do our part, too. Furthermore, our choices really do matter. Our heart matters. God doesn’t just want us to blindly “do,” He wants us to want to obey His word. That’s how His work is done in the world. We are His hands & feet, working in humility and obedience to our Father to establish His perfect Kingdom. 

    Reflection questions:

    1. What are you doing for God right now, or what is He calling you to do? What is your attitude about it? 
    2. What is one way that you can recast your vision for what God has in store? What can you do today to be obedient to Him?
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    Seek God and Find Him

    Ezra 4-6 and Psalm 137

    Devotion by Sherry Alcumbrack (South Carolina)

    Today our reading is from Psalm 137 and Ezra 4-6. I will start with Psalm 137 because it shows the depth of depression that the Jewish people were feeling after being taken into captivity. Imagine a foreign country coming in and destroying your homeland, with thousands killed and thousands exiled to foreign lands. Psalm 137:1 says: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept.” They also desire to see justice on the Babylonians.

    As Ezra 3 ended it seemed like things were going well for the Jews. The foundation had been laid and there was great rejoicing. Then the enemies of the Jews who wanted to stop what they were doing started causing trouble. First they asked if they could join them because they were also seeking their God. Of course, this was a lie, they wanted to find a way to stop them by whatever means they could. But the heads of the households of Judah and Benjamin refused this offer. The people of the land scared them into stopping the project. During the reign of Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes the rebuilding was put on hold because the enemies convinced those kings that the Jewish people would rebel against them if they allowed them to build their temple.

    It was stopped until the second year of the reign of King Darius. In Ezra 5, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah enter the picture. Two men, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, answered the call and started to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Tattenai, the governor of the province, asked by whose authority were they rebuilding the temple. The Jewish people said they were going to keep on building until they heard from King Darius. They continued to do the work under the watchful eye of God, who was with them during this time. When asked who gave them the authority to rebuild, they said, Ezra 5:11b-12 “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. But because our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.”

    King Darius found the scroll from King Cyrus in Ecbatana and sent this decree in Ezra 6:7 “Leave this work on the house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this temple of God on its site.” And it will be paid by the royal treasury. Ezra 6:12 says: “May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who attempts to change it, so as to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued this decree, let it be carried out with all diligence!” They finished in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The Jewish people had not celebrated the Passover feast for around 70 years but they celebrated this event once again when the completion of the work was done on the second temple. Ezra 6:21 “The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God of Israel, ate the Passover.”

    Jeremiah 29:13 has always been one of my favorite verse:  And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” This verse was written during the time of the exiles but it is still relevant for us today. If you ever played Hide and Seek as a kid, the game wasn’t a lot of fun if the one searching leaves, causing the person in hiding to keep waiting. When we seek God, we never want to give up and walk away. We must continually seek Him, and we will find him when we search with our whole heart! He tells us that and we know his promises are sure.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Have you ever faced outside opposition when you were working on a project for God? What does it take to continue serving God when others want you to stop?
    2. What did the ‘God seekers’ do right?
    3. Do you seek God with your whole heart? Is there a part of your heart that is not committed to seeking God? Are there times when you give up the search?
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