The Return

I received a blog post from Perry Noble a few days ago where he spoke about reading from Nehemiah. I can't say that I have been reading anything lately so this morning I decided to not sleep in as I have been, but to get up just past 5 a.m. and spend some time with God.

True to God's work, I felt like God was speaking directly to me as I read the first chapter. It is here that Nehemiah asks Hanani about the Jews that had escaped captivity. Hanai explains to Nehemiah that the survivors are living in great distress and reproach. His response to this news was to weep and mourn, fast and pray.

Nehemiah then goes into a prayer for the Jews and for himself. There are a few parts to this prayer, no wait - almost the entire prayer, that I can relate to today.

In verse 7 of chapter 1 Nehemiah prays and confesses; "We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statues, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses."

I feel like this has been me lately. There is no excuse but in the midst of my recent circumstances (both good and bad) over the last few months I found myself staying up late and using that as an excuse to not get up early to have my time with God. This, in and of itself, is the start of a slippery slope for me. I would imagine everyone has their mountain top. For me, this is mine that only can lead one way; down hill.

From there I have lost my focus on god, and without even realizing it, lost touch with Him. The decisions I made then became my own. My prayers became almost non-existent partly because of the break in my relationship with Him, partly because of the lack of time devoted to Him and prayer, partly because I didn't know what to pray or say. I continued my slippery slide down through my thoughts, the things that came out of my mouth and the compromises that I made.

As I read on this morning I came to the hope that is offered to all of us. In verse 9 Nehemiah is referencing God's commandment and statues to Moses: "but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name."

This reminds me of the son who wandered but upon coming home his dad welcomed him warmly with open arms and a party. "If you return to me..." All I have to do is return to Him and keep His commandments and He will bring me to the place He has chosen for me. I don't want to be anywhere else. I want to be right there in the place that God has chosen for me.

Going back to the beginning of Nehemiah's prayer I notice that it begins with an acknowledgement of God's character. Don't miss it! It's well worth noticing. Go back to verse 5: "And I said, "I pray Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments."

Get this, it's a trip, we are able to talk to the Lord God of heaven. He is great! He is awesome! He keeps His covenant! And He is merciful! That is the God that I serve! That is the God that loves me and who is willing to take me to a place that He has chosen just for me. He isn't trying to see me some real estate, a new couch for the house or a new car. He isn't getting His schedule out so we can figure out a good time for us to sit and chant. He is offering Himself, all the time, for eternity. There is no free IPOD if I show up, but there is a never ending relationship...friendship...love fest...with the one and only true God. How incredible is that?!

Lord, I recognize Your greatness. I recognize that You are my source of life. I know that You have allowed me to make the choices I have over the last few months and for many of those choices I am sorry. I want to be back in alignment with You. I know that during the recent events when You have been quiet, You haven't left my side. I know that while I didn't know what to say, You heard my heart. You have carried me and loved me just the same as You always have and I thank You. I am here, Lord, and have returned to sit at Your feet and go where You would have me go. I love you!

Today's Advice

Be the kind of woman that when your feet

hit the floor each morning the devil says,

"Oh Crap, She's up!"