August 17

 Nehemiah 12:27-13:31, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 21:17-18 



Pray: The Psalmist requests in his prayers that God will hear his struggle and offer kindness and rest. He is aware that his enemies do not have his best interest at hand in any shape or form. God does care about our present and future direction. Let us seek God and His wisdom for our lives today as we open the scripture and read for revelation, not simply information.

Read: Nehemiah tells us up front that the Temple has been neglected in many ways. First, there is not enough funding to keep the Temple positioned for its work and functions as a place of worship, sacrifice and celebration. The tithes and offerings were not coming in as needed nor was the Temple being maintained properly. Does this not lift up the powerful reality of the importance of worship in the House of God?

Edify: Paul gives his own prescription for public worship and does claim, “judge for yourselves”. Paul does lift up the importance of women not receiving undue attention due to their headdress, and likewise that both men and women respect and honor God in worship both in attitude and in function. Though the debate may live on until we reside in heaven one day, over whether Paul literally meant for women to keep their heads completely covered, but what we do know is Nehemiah had it right, and Paul was implying this in his letter to Corinthians, “we must come humbly before the Lord and not bring attention to ourselves whether we are men or women."

Practice: God “rescues the helpless from the strong” all throughout history. God’s unfailing love is poured out upon the weak and the strong. Yet, God does step in and defend those who are without voice. Our silence is its own admission of hate and violence among other people who are being hurt or marginalized by the strong. We cannot be silent when there exist realities like sex slavery and the dehumanization of the elderly and the poor. God’s people are called to rise up and speak loudly against the mistreatment of the helpless. How can you use your influence today to help those in need?