RENEW: Reviving the Broken
As we’ve considered this concept of renewal, we have noted that renewal requires consecration (i.e., being separated to or belonging to God). Renewal also requires confession (i.e., agreeing with God about the sinfulness of your attitude and actions). And we noted that renewal will result in commitment in our sermon last Sunday. Today—as we complete our study in Nehemiah—we will see that renewal requires consistency (i.e., doing something in the same way over a long period of time). So, in this study, we’re going to focus on that concept—consistency in our walk with God—because there is no other way to sustain a spirit of revival.
In Nehemiah 9 and 10, the people covenanted together to “observe and do all the commandments of the Lord.” Now in Nehemiah 11, we see the result of this covenant and how it impacted the lives of these people. Many people pay lip-service to following God—or committing wholly to Him—but commitment to God does not come without effort and sacrifice. As we pray each time before studying God’s Word, we must be doers of the Word, not hearers only.
After restoring the broken-down wall of Jerusalem, the restored exiles needed spiritual direction and renewal—they needed revival. In our study last week, we noted that this process of renewal begins with hearing and obeying the Word of God. In today’s study, we will focus on the role of confessing sin in the renewal process, as well as the attitudes that foster a repentant spirit and the product of confession.
The walls of the city of Jerusalem have been rebuilt, restoring the honor and dignity of that great city. Now it is time for the people of Jerusalem to be restored as well. They were in desperate need of reviving and renewal. Both Ezra and Nehemiah were aware of this need, so Nehemiah called all the people together at the Water Gate and asked Ezra to bring the Law of Moses to read to the people so that they could repent and seek the face of God!