Nehemiah 9

"You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten." -Nehemiah 9:10b NLT

"But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious, and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them." Nehemiah 9:17b NLT

"But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way at night." Nehemiah 9:19 NLT

I love the 19th verse of Nehemiah. I often choke on feelings of abandonment- and while I don't know where those feelings stem from, I do recognize that they are a presence in my life. 

But chapter 9 of Nehemiah talks about abandonment not once, but twice (in verses 17 & 19). 

In verse 17, the author is listing out God's character traits that are highlighted to him in this point and time of Israel's history. Note how God's character didn't change in these circumstances. And how He did not abandon them even though I would have surely been fed up with the Israelites!

Again in verse 19, we see that it's his mercy- his great mercy- that causes him to not abandon them. Not only that, but the text goes on to say that God even continues to lead them. 

...The pillar of cloud led them forward by day... 

So even though their hearts were still not quite fully devoted to God, he still provided them with direction (courtesy of that nice pillar) to keep them moving forward. 

And he had a pillar of fire showing them the way in the dark of night. 

I believe God's character hasn't changed. He's merciful, gracious, slow to anger, rich in unfailing love- and he does not abandon us. In the light of day, he leads us with a forward direction- even when our hearts get distracted, he still is a constant "direction-giver." And in my darkest of nights, when I am feeling way off course spiritually or I can't see my way, God can guide me with a pillar of fire to show me the way. 

While I'd love to have a tangible, actual pillar of cloud or fire, and some super clear vision of where to go or what to do in/with my life, knowing that my God is the same God who has done all of these things so faithfully before gives me an anchor for my soul.

I can choose to remember his eternally unwavering character, knowing he goes before me and directs me in my brightest and my darkest seasons of life!

And since my God is big- REALLY big- it is in His character and capacity to do the same for you.

My prayer is that you would be blessed, and reminded that our God is, "...a God of forgiveness, gracious, and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them." Nehemiah 9:17b NLT 

XO,

Melly