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ELEMENTS OF CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE (VII)
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Nehemiah 9:4-38

1 Kings 8:22-30

  
“…even toward the place
of which thou hast said,
My name shall be there…”
 
ELEMENTS OF CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE (VII)
 
The content of the prayer in Nehemiah 9 continues to show their knowledge of God and His attributes. After presenting God as creator and sustainer of all things, as well as the God of election, they went on to ascribe to God attributes in relation to specific works that related to their life and heritage as the nation of God.
 
And didst see the affliction of our fathers (Neh 9:9). The prayer, after acknowledging God, then recognised and highlighted His works in the lives of His chosen nation. This became both a recounting of their history as well as an overview of the Old Testament Scriptures. They affirmed that their deliverance was by the hand and work of God (Neh 9:9-11) and this act of God further confirmed both His power and covenant faithfulness which were highlighted in the previous verses. In order to accomplish the deliverance, God (i) saw the affliction and heard the cry (Neh 9:9), (ii) showed signs and wonders and got Himself “a name, as it is this day” (Neh 9:10), and (iii) divided the sea and overthrew Pharaoh’s army (Neh 9:11).
 
Moreover thou leddest them (Neh 9:12). After affirming their deliverance from Egypt, they recounted God’s abiding presence and full provision in and throughout the wandering in the wilderness (Neh 9:12-15). Once again through this, God was confirmed and both His power and covenant faithfulness were revealed as highlighted in the first two attributes. The presence of God among them was first physical and visible in the form of the “cloudy pillar; and… a pillar of fire” (Neh 9:12). Through this, God directed their paths and controlled their journey: the people folded their tents to travel when the pillar lifted, and unfolded their tents to camp when the pillar settled. God’s provision and supply were constant and unfailingly providing bread for their hunger and water for their thirst (Neh 9:15). Second, God’s presence was also spiritual. This is seen in the personal nature of God’s activity as emphasised in the use of the personal pronoun “thou” and also in the giving of the law (Neh 9:13) and sabbath (Neh 9:14) to guide their life, service and worship.
 
THOUGHT: We have the promise of His presence (Matt 28:20).
PRAYER: (Use Psalm 51:11.)

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