Finish and Follow Through

THE POINT

It’s important to thank God for our victories.

RECAP OF NEHEMIAH

• The walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and the Hebrew nation had no safe base of growth.
• Nehemiah risked his life to take leave the palace and take on a dangerous mission.
• His approach combined prayer, fasting, wisdom, and hard work.
• The Israelites rebuilt the wall in spite of opposition and death threats.

GIVING GOD GLORY

Nehemiah 8:1-3 (NKJV)
Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.
So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

Nehemiah 8:5-6 (NIV)
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:9-11 (NIV)
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

John 5:19 (NIV)
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

John 15:4-5 (NIV)
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Malachi 3:16 (NIV)
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.

LESSONS FROM THIS SECTION

• Nehemiah secured a place of honor in the history of God and mankind.  It’s worth paying attention to how he did things.
• He could have written this book in such a way to give the glory to himself.
• He mentions his prayer and God’s graciousness at every turn.
• THIS WEEK: Think of things you can give God glory for.