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August – September 2026: The Book of Nehemiah
On Tuesday 18th August we begin a brand new series of Daily Inspirations – in the Book of Nehemiah. It’s a riveting tale of someone being called by God to do something amazing – and then doing it! Nehemiah is a wonderful character, full of faith, wisdom and practical common sense. Let’s journey with him over the next three weeks or so, and be inspired by his example.
- Day 18, Saturday 12th September – Nehemiah 9:38-10:39 ‘The power of God’s Word (4) – Commitment’
‘In view of all this…’ And so, we get to the heart of the prayer. After a long and detailed confession of the people’s rebellious ways, their repentance is manifested in a ‘binding agreement’, witnessed by their spiritual leaders (10:1-27). True conviction and confession always ends in commitment.
Indeed, the word repentance, which we often equate to ‘saying sorry’, really means ‘change your life’. For the people of Nehemiah’s day, this was reflected in a series of very practical commitments relating to marriage (v30), Sabbath (v31), resourcing their worshipping life properly (vv32-34), and generosity (vv35-39). All core components of the Law, which were often neglected but which were integral to their distinctiveness (i.e. holiness) as the chosen people of the one true God, Yahweh.
Although it is rare for us to make detailed practical commitments in our confession prayers, we do reflect those intentions in a general sense in many of our standard prayers:
‘Grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your name.’
‘That we may act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you, our God.’
Or, to return to the prayer we quoted a few days ago: ‘Grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name.’
As close our week, and this shorter reflection, take a few minutes to reflect on what repentance looks like for you today. Maybe it’s not a case of making specific commitments; or maybe there might be value in doing so – as long as we hold fast to the Lord’s grace, and live in freedom rather than condemnation.
What we do understand at a much deeper level than those praying this prayer more than 2,000 years ago, is that this kind of transformation can only be achieved by the Holy Spirit working in us. So, as we choose to serve the Lord today, pray for a fresh infilling of grace, poured out by the Holy Spirit, to live out your commitments. And in all things may we abide in Him, bearing much fruit, to the glory of His name. Amen.
- Friday 14th August – Revelation 3:5-6,11-13,21-22 ‘Whoever has ears…’Read more...
‘Whoever has ears, let them hear….’ Jesus uses this famous phrase repeatedly in the gospels whenever he tells stories to his listeners. The stories Jesus tells are called parables – which means there’s a point to them, maybe even a sting in the tail. Jesus’ parables tease us, touch us, sometimes torment us. They speak truth in creative ways, but never ...
- Thursday 13th August – 1 John 4:1-6 ‘The greater Spirit’Read more...
I originally wrote this reflection in the week before the 2020 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. As was usual in that season, the two Mercedes cars dominated qualifying for the race. Many would agree that in Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes had the best driver at that time – and one of the greatest drivers of all-time. However, what also set both ...
- Wednesday 12th August – 2 Peter 1:16-21 ‘Spirit-breathed Scriptures’Read more...
Inspiration is a curious thing. Any of us who try to communicate creatively in any medium, whether through words or the visual arts, know what that means – and what it costs. Sometimes it just ‘flows’ – at other times, it’s like pulling teeth. We scratch around in the dust, so to speak, looking for a pebble of any shape ...
- Tuesday 11th August – Hebrews 9:11-15 ‘Spiritual cleansing’Read more...
I love meat. As it happens, I love fruit, nuts and vegetables too, and will happily live as a vegetarian for half the week. But I can’t go the whole hog – pardon the pun. Walk me down the meat aisle of the supermarket, past the speciality sausages and the cuts of beef, and I can’t help but be drawn to ...
- Monday 10th August – 2 Timothy 1:3-8 ‘A courageous spirit’Read more...
God has a role for everyone in His kingdom. It sometimes appears that the people God mostly uses are the ‘alpha’ characters – the big, out-there extroverts, those with the gift of the gab, the confident, funny ones, the people who naturally take charge. And don’t get me wrong, we do need those.
But God needs everyone else ...