Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.  And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.  And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.  And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of Heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:  Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I prayed before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel they servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.  We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statues, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.  Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant saying, if ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of your cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.  Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou has redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.  O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man, for I was the king’s cupbearer.”  (Neh 1:1-11)

There are many who pray, but very few who have a “Cry of the Heart” as did the Prophet Nehemiah for his people “Israel”.  When he received word of the affliction of the children of Israel, the wall of Jerusalem being torn down and the gates burned by fire, his heart was torn and he cried out to the Lord for many days in fasting and prayer.  When reading this chapter of the book of Nehemiah, NOTICE his prayer and the cries of his heart.  Nehemiah did not begin his prayers by asking the Lord for instantaneous help, but rather FIRST examined the possible reasons why this great affliction had fell upon He and the children of Israel.  He knew the children of Israel had not kept the Lord’s commandments and he remembered the words spoken by The Lord’s prophet Moses concerning the consequences of not heeding to Words of the Law that was written, and he did NOT withhold from the Lord his OWN guilt, but examined his OWN heart and those of his household, and fell before the Lord in prayer FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, TO REPENT.  Surely this was a prayer that the Lord’s ears would be QUICKLY OPENED to HEAR and RECEIVE.  And the Lord answered his prayer and gave him favor.

While studying this book, I tried to imagine the “believers of today” and what would have been the reaction of some to this news had it been “The Church” in place of “Nehemiah”.  Had news arrived of the persecution and affliction of the brethren, I imagine the first reaction would be to “Rebuke the devil” and follow up with praying for a “hedge of protection”.   To hear of the wall of Jerusalem being torn down and the gates burned would have brought upon more rebuking the enemy, following up with a prayer of asking the Lord for help in rebuilding, and possibly taking up a collection from members to help bring this to pass.   But not once would the church consider doing as Nehemiah had done, in FIRST REPENTING of any sins known and unknown, of coming before the Lord in Godly sorrow seeking forgiveness and then following up with a prayer asking for his blessings. 

Just as commandments were given to the children of Israel to heed to, and if those commandments were broken they would suffer the consequences, so is the SAME for the Church TODAY!  There is no difference.  There are no separate rules where one MUST adhere and the other can live as they well please without any consequence of action.  But many in the church today neglect to see that certain situations and circumstances that may be of negative consequence, arise because of an inability and refusal to REPENT and rather than FIRST come before the Lord after examining ones heart and noting the sin that is within, many instead do one of two things, either blame the devil (giving him credit where credit is not due), or WORSE blame the Lord but not ONCE look within thyself.  Now, this is not to say the enemy doesn’t attempt to attack the children of God for such would be a foolish statement as the word declares “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; but it goes on to say “Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of ALL GRACE, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1^st Pet 5:8-11) 

The devil will attack those who are living their lives righteously before the Lord in heeding to His commandments, and the Lord will allow certain situations to arise in our Lives that our faith may be tested and afterwards he shall make us “perfect” by mending what’s broken and making us whole.  He will “stablish” us by keeping us stable in Him no matter the circumstance and difficulties we face in the world today.  He will “strengthen” us by giving us the capability to effectively do that which he’s called us to do.  And He will “settle” us that let come what may, we will still be standing firm and steadfast in Him and on His word, we would be immovable, standing on solid and firm foundation!  However, the enemy seeks only to attack those who are a threat to him.  Those who EXPOSES his lies and cunning craftiness with THE WORD.  Those who BOLDLY proclaim the TRUTH as it is written in the Holy Scriptures. Those whose hearts and lives have been completely surrendered unto The Lord.   Those who cry out to the Lord “Father, NOT my will, but THINE BE DONE.  He is unconcerned about those who have “professed their love for the Lord”, and yet have continued to live in sin.  Those who’ve claimed Jesus is the LORD OF THEIR LIVES, and yet have attempted to place him by various actions, in the status of a “servant” in the continual requesting of this or that from Him and not ALLOWING him to give that which if BEST for you.  Such are no threat to the devil, for you are already fulfilling his desires and that being remaining disobedient unto the Lord.  You’re already fulfilling his desires in that the flesh and the fulfillment thereof, is MORE important than the spirit and surrendering to the will of The Father and is evident in your continual rejection of His commandments, and total surrender to the sins of the flesh.  Therefore, not every “sticky” situation, or critical circumstance and/or hardship is an attack from the enemy, but may possibly be through your own disobedience and REFUSAL to REPENT!   Before any promise of a blessing is received, there must be a WILLINGNESS of OBEDIENCE in order to OBTAIN. We don’t receive blessings from the Lord being reckless, sinful, disobedient, and living our lives as we choose!  If Jesus is truly the LORD of your life then that means ALL of your life, not a remnant, not a portion, not only those things you are willing to give to Him but ALL.

Now, before going to the Lord in prayer SEEKING the “gifts”, let one examine his/herself FIRST and if there be any hidden sin of the heart, any form of disobedience, any wickedness of the flesh, BEFORE asking for “the gift”, cry out in REPENTANCE to the GIFT GIVER!  Seek to hide NOTHING from the Lord for he ALREADY knows of the sin, ALREADY knows the secrets of every heart, ALREADY knows of the disobedience, ALREADY knows of the perverted thoughts, ALREADY knows of the bitterness, the hatred, the unforgiveness you may have thought was hidden away and forgotten, He will NOT overlook the sins and hand over the blessings.  Before one receives, one must TRULY and SINCERELY……REPENT!

Yes, there are many who pray, but very few who have a “Cry of the Heart” to FIRST REPENT!

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always…….

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God