Staying Committed: Locking Out Temptations | Nehemiah 13:19-22

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As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day. Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love. — Nehemiah 13:19-22

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I love this moment. Nehemiah rocks.

Yesterday, we talked about how the people were not making good on their commitment to keeping the Sabbath. One of the issues was that Persian vendors were bringing goods to sell in Jerusalem on the Sabbath, which was too tempting for the people. Thus, they were breaking the Sabbath and being disobedient to God, which got them into this mess with Babylon, Assyria, and Persia. So, Nehemiah reminds them about this.

But he also takes preventative measures to keep the people of God from being tempted again. First, he locks the gate the evening before the Sabbath to keep vendors from tempting the people. Second, he publicly warned the vendors to stay away for a couple of weeks, which was also a warning for his people.

If believers supplemented their spiritual commitments with these two actions, they might be more committed to the process of spiritual change.

For example, if you aim to lose a few pounds, then keeping certain foods out of the house and publicly declaring this to others who live with you, telling you you don't want certain foods in the house, will help. Or if you desire to stop cursing, then not being exposed to people who curse and declaring to others that you need their help by permitting them to call you out will help. What Nehemiah does here is pretty simple, yet it's precisely what these people need to stay on track with God.

So how about you? What do you need to keep out of your house and confess to others to strengthen your commitment to God?

#SabbathCommitment #NehemiahLessons #SpiritualDiscipline #GuardingTheGates #FaithfulToGod'sWord

ASK THIS:

How can you implement Nehemiah's approach of "locking the gates" and publicly declaring your commitment to avoid temptation in your own life to strengthen your walk with God?
Are there specific areas in your life where you need to take preventative measures, just as Nehemiah did, to ensure you remain faithful to God's commands? What steps can you take today to make those changes?

DO THIS: Keep it out and publicly confess it.

PRAY THIS: God, help me follow Nehemiah's example by taking proactive steps to guard my heart and commitment to You, locking out temptations and publicly declaring my dedication to Your path. Strengthen me to live a life that honors You and keeps me on track with Your will. Amen.

PLAY THIS: I Surrender.