Today's Verse: Nehemiah 12:30

Sunday, December 30, 1956

When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Nehemiah had returned to Judea from serving a foreign king who authorized him to rebuild the broken structures in Jerusalem and rally the people to repopulate the Holy City, re-commit to purity, and rebuild the city walls to protect the people inside. As the people finished rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah insisted that the key leaders and everyday places must be purified. They had to do that before they began their normal daily lives inside the walls and continued their work of purifying the people. Nehemiah reminds us that before we try to "clean up" those around us, we must first offer ourselves to God to be consecrated and made pure by his grace. Then, we can live demonstrating the impact of God's holiness on those around us. This principle is similar to what Jesus told us to remove the plank from our own eye before we try to clean the speck out of someone else's eye (Luke 6:41-42). For leaders at any level - church, work, teams, families - dedicating ourselves to holiness is essential before calling others to holiness! God's most significant spiritual renewal movements begin with leaders consecrating themselves to the Lord and then leading others toward God's holy way of living.

My Prayer...

O Father in heaven, forgive me for my sins. I want to be pure and holy, cleansed by your Spirit and forgiven by your grace. Please bless me as I seek to live a holy life before those I seek to influence. I need your powerful help to be the example and person of character that you want me to be and that my friends need me to be. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Nehemiah 12:30 — When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, December 30, 1956

A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod,..."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.