“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17–18

Scripture reading: Nehemiah 12:27-30

The walls are complete. The people of Israel are ready to praise the Lord with a celebration. But first, both the people and the walls were purified. The only way we can offer acceptable worship to God is through the cleansing He gives. The Israelites had cleansing ceremonies which steadily reminded them (and we must know this too) that our sin creates a barrier between God and His people.

On this day, the walls were purified. The walls cannot save them, only the Lord can. The ceremony was like a statement saying, “May it please the Lord to use these walls for His purpose of preserving His people and for proper worship.” We remember that these walls were not built by experts; they reused old stones blackened by the fires. The walls carried marks, which were like scars reminding Israel of their foolish past. Only by the cleansing of God do they become worthy of God.

Think about the things the Lord has done for you. And think of all the mistakes in your own past. Are there things in your life that remind you of the times you failed to trust God and rebelled against His Word? That is real, isn’t it? But there is cleansing. We can belong to the Lord and be worthy of bringing worship to God though the cleansing and renewal given in Jesus Christ. May we daily seek our life in Christ Jesus.

Suggestions for prayer

Confess your recent sins and the sins you have not wanted to confess. Repent and ask the Lord to cleanse you from your sin, that you may offer to God worship that is pleasing to Him.

Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.