Verse of the Day 6/18

Through the Bible - Nehemiah 9-11, Acts 4:23-37   Good morning, Over the last few days we've considered what it means to "follow", to "live in the way", to be convicted of our sin - convinced of who we really are.   If you've been reading along in the book of Nehemiah, a lot had to be done before the walls could be built back up.  The rubble had to be removed.  Unity among believers was necessary to have the common goal in mind.  It involved diligence powered by faith to accomplish the feat in spite of opposition, the nay sayers.   For today's verse we'll go to the Old Testament book of Habakkuk, a prophet in a tumultuous time with words of wisdom for people now and then that we are to "wait" for the Lord's deliverance and "be patient" for God will work out His plans.  But it doesn't call us to be passive about it.   Hab 2:4-"Look at that man, bloated by self-importance — full of himself but soul-empty. But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive.   The Message or from the NKJV Hab 2:4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.   NKJV I believe it was John Piper that said of the last line of this verse that it could also be translated "by faith, the just shall live".  It captures the thought of following God, of "being found in the way".  You can also see what that means if you read the New Testament reading yesterday about Peter and John.   Acts 4:13 The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus.   NCV John Newton, who wrote the song "Amazing Grace" showed us his desire to follow Christ in this prayer: 'O Lord, accept, support, protect, teach, comfort and bless me. Be . . .   my Arm,   my Eye,   my Joy and   my Salvation. Mortify the power of sin--and increase the image of Your holiness in my heart. Anoint me with fresh oil, make me humble, faithful, diligent and obedient. Let me in all things attend . . .   to Your Word as my rule,   to Your glory as my end, and   depend upon Your power and promise for my safety and success." May that be our desire today.   In Christ, Mike   Hab 2:1-5 2 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.  2 Then the Lord replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. 4 "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright — but the righteous will live by his faith—  NIV