Prove Your Patriotism

Devotion for Sunday January 21, 2018

Topic: Prove Your Patriotism        

Text: Nehemiah 1:5 – 11              

Nehemiah’s prayer was nationalistic in nature which is a clear evidence of his patriotism. He started his prayer by recalling the attributes and promises of God (see Exodus 20:6). He was specific about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem which he attributed to sin of the Israelites (Nehemiah 1: 6 & 7 see Deuteronomy 28:15). He didn’t exonerate himself and his family. He remembered the promise of God concerning repentance and restoration (Nehemiah 1:8 – 10 see Leviticus 26:33, 39; Deuteronomy 4:25-27, 29; 28:64). He prayed for favour in the eyes of the king he serves. We should note that the best way to obtain favour from men is to plead with God in whose hand lie the hearts of men. His approach to national problem of Israel is a challenge for us Christians of this generation. 

We are the major contributors to the problem of corruption, insecurity, political violence and all manner of social vices that are affecting us today by our inability to pray and to do what is expected of us. How often do we even care to know what is happening in our nation? Nehemiah asked and that prompted him into prayer. When we hear of national issues, does it prompt us to pray or do we begin to analyze it, blaming people at leadership position and exonerating ourselves? It is our duty to pray for our nation. Let this be uppermost in our hearts. Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240

Food for Thought: How often do you pray for your nation and the challenges confronting her?

Memory verse: Nehemiah 1:7

Prayer: Lord, lay a great burden in my heart and hearts of other Christians in this nation to pray for her always in Jesus name. Amen

Be A True Patriot

Devotion for Saturday January 20, 2018

Topic: Be A True Patriot

Text: Nehemiah 1:1 – 4                         

Nehemiah was a cup bearer of a Persian king. He tastes whatever is served the king as drink. Thus he lived at ease, and in honour, but didn’t forget that he was an Israelite, and that his brethren were in distress. He was ready to do them all the good he could through the position he was occupying; and to know how best to show them kindness, he makes inquiries about them. Nehemiah was a man of true piety though, he was in high position in civil office but his piety led him to take a deep interest in the welfare of his people and course of God in the home of his ancestors and brethren. This distinguished him as a great patriot.

Today we have men and women who are in high positions but cannot do anything good for their people. They are so self-centered that they don’t even care what happens in their villages/towns. Some Christians don’t pay contributions for development of their communities. Some don’t pay their taxes and rates to government. Yet they criticize the government. These acts are not Christ-like. Jesus gave us example in Matthew 17:25 – 27.

As Christians we should show the light first among our people and to others. We should have concern about the welfare of our communities and the nation at large. Nehemiah heard about the condition of Jerusalem and went into prayers (Nehemiah 1:4). How much do we pray for our nation and communities? We desired change in our nation and communities but wait for someone else to bring it. Why not become the change by being a true patriot? Sing SS&S 798; Abu 29

Food for Thought: What can you do to improve the welfare of your community?

Memory verse: Nehemiah 1:4

Prayer: Grant me the burden to always pray and work for the good of my community and my country at large in Jesus name. Amen.

PROOF OF PATRIOTISM: Devotion for Wednesday February 24, 2016

PROOF OF PATRIOTISM: Devotion for Wednesday February 24, 2016

Text: Nehemiah 1:5 – 11    Memory verse: v 7

The prayer of Nehemiah was nationalistic in nature which is a clear evidence of his patriotism. He started his prayer by recalling the attributes and promises of God (1:5 compare Ex. 20:6). He was specific about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem which he attributed to sin of the Israelis (1:6, 7. Compare Deut. 28:15). He didn’t exonerate himself and his family. He recalled the promise of God concerning repentance and restoration in Neh. 1:8–10 (see Lev. 26:33, 39; Deut 4:25-27, 29; 28:64). He prayed for favour in the eyes of the king he serves as cup bearer. We should note that the best way to obtain favour from men is to plead with God in whose hand lie the hearts of men.

Nehemiah’s approach to national problem of Israel is a challenge for us Christians of this generation. Do we see ourselves as one of the major contributors to the problem of corruption, insecurity, political violence and all manner of social vices that are affecting us today by our inability to pray and to do what is expected of us? How often do we even care to know what is happening in our nation? Nehemiah asked and that prompted him into prayer. When we hear of national issues, does it prompt us to pray or do we begin to analyse it, blaming people at leadership position. Our first duty is to pray for our nation. Let this be uppermost in our hearts.

Food for Thought: How often do you pray for your nation and problems confronting her?

Prayer: Lord, lay a great burden in my heart for my nation and cause me to pray for her always.

A PATRIOT INDEED: Devotion for Tuesday February 23, 2016

A PATRIOT INDEED: Devotion for Tuesday February 23, 2016

Text: Nehemiah 1:1 – 4      Memory verse: v

Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer. He lived at ease, and in honour, but didn’t forget that he was an Israelite, and that his brethren were in distress. He was ready to do them all the good he could through the position he was occupying; and that he might know how best to do them a kindness, he makes inquiries about them. Nehemiah was a man of true piety though he was in high position in civil office but his piety led him to take a deep interest in the welfare of his people and cause of God in the home of his ancestors and brethren. This distinguished him as a great patriot.

Today we have men and women who are in high positions but cannot do anything good for their people. They are so self centered that they don’t even care what happens in their villages/towns. Some Christians don’t pay contributions for development of their communities. Some don’t pay their taxes and rates. These acts are not Christ-like. Our Lord gave us example by paying tax (Matt 17:25–27). As Christians we should show the light first among our people and to others. We should have concern about the welfare of our communities and the nation at large. Nehemiah heard about the condition of Jerusalem and went into prayers (1:4). How much do we pray for our nation and communities? We desire change in our nation and communities but wait for someone else to bring it. Why not become the change?

Food for Thought: What can you do to improve the welfare of your community first and your nation at large?

Prayer: Grant me the burden to always pray for the good of my community and my country at large.