Autumn 2026: The Book of Joshua
Monday 5th October – Joshua 2:1-24 ‘Rahab’s testimony’
If I was to ask you to name any of the great confessions of faith in the bible, I wonder which you might recall? Perhaps it would be Solomon’s great prayer at the dedication of the Temple; or David’s poetic psalms; or Isaiah’s encounter with the living God; or Peter’s and Thomas’ impassioned recognitions of Jesus’ identity; or Paul’s erudite sermons and beautiful phrasing?
Not many of us would mention this passage: and yet here, tucked away in this chapter, is one of the great confessions of faith. And even more wonderfully, it comes from a most unlikely source.
Rahab is one of the forgotten heroes of the Old Testament, whose actions here pave the way for what follows. As a prostitute she was considered the lowest of the low, not least by the standards of Israel’s law. I suspect she was visited by Joshua’s spies, not because she was expected to be helpful, but as the easiest ‘cover story’: who would raise an eyebrow at two young male travellers visiting a prostitute?
But when called upon, she acts with extraordinary bravery: risking her own life to hide them, and sending the King of Jericho’s soldiers off in the wrong direction. Even more amazingly, she gives her reasons for her courageous – you might say foolhardy – behaviour: ‘I know the Lord has given this land to you…’ (v9). What she says next (v11) is astounding: ‘the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.’
The wording of this confession of faith is matched in only two other places in the Old Testament: by Moses and Solomon. It is unprecedented among those considered to be outside God’s people. And yet Rahab, this ‘woman of the world’, says something which puts her on a par with Moses the friend of God, and Solomon the wisest king.
Truly the kingdom of God is like that mustard seed, which grows in the most extraordinary ways and among the most unlikely people. Rahab had eyes to see what so many others missed, and in doing so, not only saved the spies but her family too – more on that in a few days’ time.
We are, all of us human beings, born with a ‘God-shaped hole’, that desire to seek something – or Someone – beyond ourselves; and ‘our hearts are not at rest until they find their rest in You’ (St Augustine). Let’s be inspired by the example of Rahab to pray with renewed hope for that God-shaped hole to bear fruit in those we love, and in others we didn’t expect. And – praise be to God – in us, too!
Saturday 3rd October – Joshua 1:10-18 ‘Mutual support’
Back in the days when my knees still worked properly, my weekly delight was 5-a-side football. Every Wednesday evening, I would let off steam for an hour. As we were an ad-hoc bunch of blokes who were old enough to know better, we didn’t have organised teams, we just made up the teams from whoever turned up on the night. In effect, the game was different every week, and this provided a fascinating insight into the world of team dynamics.
Sometimes I would look at the line-ups and fancy our chances. Other times I would inwardly grimace and prepare for a beating. Occasionally something wonderful happened. On paper we would look like a far weaker team, but then something would just click and we would win the game. Team-mates started playing out of their skins, we settled into a spontaneous ‘formation’ that was effective in defence and penetrating in attack, and we all felt that beautiful but mysterious thing called ‘chemistry’. It’s hard to explain, but you know it when you see it.
Teamwork is vital in life. When people pull for each other, it’s an amazing thing. Good teams lead to people being both happier and more productive. There’s a sense of purpose and a collective joy in ‘achieving something together’. Teamwork is great, not just in workplaces, but in families, clubs, and especially in church. As Jesus’ body here on earth, we’re all interconnected.
In today’s passage, we see great teamwork in action. Three of Israel’s tribes don’t need to cross the Jordan, as the land they’ve been given by God is on the east side (v13). They could just stay put, while the other tribes move on. But they agree to give Joshua their wholehearted support (vv16-17), before returning across the river once more to what will become their homeland. It might well be costly, as they may lose people in the fighting that follows; but they share the vision, and at this stage they want to be obedient. They’ve learned the lessons of the desert, and they will support Joshua whatever he does.
There’s a great encouragement for us here. Thankfully most of us aren’t called to fight! But we are called to support each other, to be part of God’s bigger vision for his kingdom. In God’s team, everyone is valuable, everyone has a role. May God grant us all grace to be a united people, and to support each other in building God’s kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven. What might that mean for each of us?
Friday 2nd October – Joshua 1:1-9 ‘I am with you’
The births of each of our children were two of the best days of our lives. I’m sure most parents would say the same! We do remember, though, arriving home from hospital the following day with our new-born daughter (our first child), and experiencing a moment of sheer terror: here we were, with this beautiful little bundle, completely helpless and dependent on us, and it was now on us to look after her – all the time. To feed her, clean her, clothe her, settle her, protect her, love her. To learn what each of her cries meant, how to help her into a functioning pattern of living, when to be concerned about something and when not to be; and to know what advice was worth listening to, and what wasn’t!
We had read the books, and attended the classes, we had looked after younger siblings and nephews and nieces, we had prayed for it and longed for it: but now there was no going back. We were parents: we’d just jumped into the deep end, and we had to sink or swim! And, as it is for most new parents, the realisation of that reality was, briefly, terrifying.
It’s a very different example, but I imagine that Joshua was going through a similar moment in today’s passage. As we’ve seen, the start of the book of Joshua is not the start of Joshua’s story: he’s been around a long time. He’s learned from the best, matured in all kinds of ways, he’s served a 40-year apprenticeship, when all is said and done: but now the moment has come. His people are dependent on him, and God’s plans need him to step up.
And he’s terrified. We know that he is because God needs to repeat his pep talk to him three times: ‘Be strong and courageous (v6)…. be strong and very courageous (v7)… ‘have I not commanded you? (i.e. how many times I am going to have to say this, Joshua…) Be strong and courageous!’ (v9)
Why is God so insistent? And what will give Joshua confidence to believe it? Not because of his abilities, or his training, or his experience, or his commissioning per se. But because God is with him, and will be with him wherever he goes.
It’s true for us, too. Our confidence rests on God’s abiding presence with us. It helps to remember how God has been with us in the past, which gives us confidence to know he’ll be with us in the future: but in the end, we seize this wonderful truth in faith and trust – God is with us. And will be with us to the end of time.
This is the source of our hope, our confidence. Take a few moments to day to give thanks that God is with you, right now. Ask to sense more of that presence. And seize by faith that he will be with you, whatever you face today, and in this season.
Thursday 1st October – Numbers 26:63-65 & 27:15-23 ‘Origin Story pt 4 – Commission’
In 2022 we celebrated the 70 years’ reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It was an extraordinary life, and most of us probably still think we’ll never see another monarch like her: who combined length of life with a quiet moral authority which set her above most of her peers. I first wrote this reflection at a time when the newspapers were increasingly reporting signs of her declining health, and collectively we carried a sense that we were not going to be blessed by her presence much longer. Among the many ways we experienced that time, it gave us, I think, a small insight into what it must have been like for God’s people, as Moses’ own time drew to a close. I imagine many of God’s people would have felt in their hearts, as we did: ‘They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.’
In today’s passage, Moses also knows his own time is drawing to a close; so he finally – and formally – hands over the reins to his long-time deputy Joshua. As we’ve seen, this relationship began over 40 years ago, when Joshua was a young man. Now he is in late middle age – or older still – and at long last his time has come. His commissioning is both public – in front of the entire assembly of God’s people (v22) – and spiritual: Moses is instructed to lay his hand of blessing upon Joshua, who the Lord testifies already has ‘the spirit of leadership’ (v18).
It is interesting that even the Lord recognises Moses’ uniqueness: Joshua receives ‘some of Moses’ authority’ (v20): not all, it appears. But that is to be expected – Moses is a one-off. Joshua will never command the same authority; but then again, he doesn’t need to. God will equip him for the tasks He is calling him to do, which is all Joshua needs.
And that’s the point: it is wisely observed that God doesn’t call those He equips, but equips those He calls. God will give Joshua enough grace for whatever he is called to. And that is true for us, too. God will equip you for whatever He calls you to. He doesn’t ask you to be perfect, just faithful and obedient. And even if you feel you’ve been preparing a long time for this, take heart from the example of Joshua!
Perhaps you are feeling God nudging you towards something. Let today be an encouragement to you. If the Lord is calling you, He will also commission you: i.e. equip you for the task. And if that’s not where you find yourself today, perhaps take a moment to pray for all, like King Charles, who serve a Joshua-like apprenticeship: that the Lord would commission and equip them for the task they will be called to undertake.
Wednesday 30th September – Numbers 13:25-14:20 ‘Origin Story pt 3 – Grasshoppers’
Today’s reading ought to have shortened the bible by about 65 pages – and there you were, wondering why it got so long! As we arrive at Numbers chapter 13 the Israelites have also arrived: at the borders of the Promised Land, a few months after leaving Egypt. God has kept them safe as they’ve journeyed through the desert, given his Law to Moses, provided food and water, and met with them regularly at the Tent of Meeting (as we saw yesterday).
Now it’s time to enter the land God had promised them – or is it? It starts well enough: Moses sends a crack squad inside the borders to take a look (13:3), and Caleb and Joshua return full of faith. Caleb even advises Moses to go for it (v30). But the others think differently: ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ (v31)
This report spreads, and like all rumours, picks up speed as it goes. By the time it reaches most of the camp, the inhabitants of the Promised Land are like giants (v32), against which God’s people are like grasshoppers (v33)!
Even so, Joshua and Caleb still try and convince the crowd that God is bigger than the obstacles they face; much better to trust God: ‘Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.’ (v9) It doesn’t work. The people dig their heels in, and are only spared a worse fate because Moses intervenes (again) with God. And so, for the next 65 pages the Israelites spend 40 years in the wilderness, and then have the law re-read to them – which takes us through the rest of Numbers and Deuteronomy.
This is a great passage for our times. We face huge challenges at present, and each of them can seem like giants. And these challenges are real, and frightening. But God is bigger than all of them. As Jesus encourages us: what matters most is not the mountain, but Who moves it.
It’s not a magic cure or a magic wand: but it is a word of hope. God is enough. Us plus God can overcome whatever we face. May we be inspired by Joshua’s example today, seize that mustard seed of faith, and pray into our challenges. What matters is not the mountain, but Who can move it.
Tuesday 29th September – Numbers 11:23-30 ‘Origin Story pt 2 – Zeal’
Immature fruit can taste a little sharp. That’s true in gardening – it’s also true in the spiritual life. We’re all called to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit: but often in young believers those qualities which eventually prove to be wonderful assets for the kingdom can be a little, well, prickly.
Take Joshua, for example. Since we met him in Exodus, Joshua has had the enormous privilege of accompanying Moses up the mountain (at least some of the way) when Moses went to meet with God (Ex 24:13): a sure sign that already Joshua is more than just ‘one of the team’, he is effectively Moses’ protégé.
This is confirmed by the story in Exodus 33: Joshua is with Moses at the Tent of Meeting, where God meets with Moses on a regular basis. It says, tellingly, that even after Moses went back to the Israelites camp, Joshua ‘did not leave the tent’ (Ex 33:11). It’s not clear whether this is to defend it, or because Joshua is so desperate to grow in faith and intimacy with God that he’s going to take every chance he gets – it’s probably a bit of both. It would certainly explain why Moses saw that ‘spark’ of greatness in him.
But there’s a flip side to this zeal, too. In today’s passage Moses gathers 70 elders and together they all receive the anointing of God’s Spirit (v25), such that they are able to prophesy (i.e. receive and speak God’s word). This is a major step forward in the growth of God’s people: but there’s an unexpected postscript: two of these elders are able to prophesy not just at the Tent of Meeting – the appointed place for God to meet with human beings – but also in the main camp (v26).
As we’ve learned, Joshua is fiercely committed to, and protective of, this Tent: and he immediately goes to Moses and says: ‘Stop them!’ (v28). Rules are rules, Moses – it’s just not cricket!
But the wise old Moses sees it differently. To paraphrase his reply in v29: ‘Calm down, Joshua. This is a good thing: more encounters with God means more blessing. I wish our spiritual life as a people would get to the stage where everyone is intimate with God, and is able to receive and speak his word.’ That’s not a bad dream, is it? And it hints at a beautiful truth fully realised more than a thousand years later, after the Spirit is poured out at Pentecost…
Joshua’s zeal to ‘do things right’ meant he missed the wood for the trees. His motives were basically good: he wanted to do things God’s way – as he saw it. But his view of God was too small. He limited God in his imagination, and so failed to see the bigger picture: that God was increasing his blessing to more people, and spreading it in a way that could bear fruit.
There’s a great lesson here for us. God is always bigger, and sometimes his kingdom is at work in surprising ways. Think of the Magi (I know, I now, it’s September – far too early!): theologically suspect astrologers blessed by God to witness the birth of the Messiah. In other words, no-one is beyond the reach of God.
What surprising people do you know, in whom God is up to something? Pray for eyes to see, and a heart to bless, what our great big God is doing!
Monday 28th September – Exodus 17:8-16 ‘Joshua – Origin Story pt 1’
Today we begin a new series looking at the major Old Testament book of Joshua. It’s a story of faith, of courage, of leadership, but also of a real human being, who has spent decades as Moses’ understudy and is awed by the responsibility.
Joshua’s story begins a lot further back than most of us realise. It’s common in big films and series nowadays to construct ‘origin stories’ that tell us where this super-hero or criminal mastermind came from. Usually this is a brilliant way to persuade us to part with more of our hard-earned cash, as we watch the ‘prequel’ to the apparently endless sequels! But, in the case of Joshua, it’s really useful to spend a few days reflecting on his life before the book that bears his name.
Joshua does in fact appear right near the start of the famous Exodus narrative. God’s people have only recently left Egypt and have begun their wanderings in the desert. They have already complained (a lot!), and God has patiently and miraculously provided for them: with manna to eat and water to drink. But now they face a further threat: having fled the Egyptians they are now attacked by another people, the Amalekites (v8).
Moses commissions a group to defend the Israelites, and he asks Joshua to lead them (v9) – this is the first time we encounter Joshua, fully 40 years before he takes on the major role that would define him: that of leading God’s people into the Promised Land. The fact that Moses asks Joshua suggests that he is already identified as one of the ‘senior team’ around Moses – and sure enough, Joshua leads the rearguard action and is victorious.
We may find the frequent fighting in Joshua’s life off-putting, and we’ll reflect more on this as the story develops. But today, let’s direct our gaze towards what is happening away from the battlefield. What makes this story remarkable is how the author indicates that what determines the outcome of the battle is not what is going on ‘down here’ but ‘up there’. Moses keeps his arms aloft in prayer and worship, and all the time he does so, the Israelites prevail. When his arms drop in fatigue, the Amalekites get the upper hand (v11).
It is a great reminder of how vital it is to soak our lives in prayer. Whatever challenges we face, prayer forms a key part of our ‘defence’. But even if you feel overawed by Moses’ mighty effort, perhaps you can identify with Aaron and Hur – their role was practical but no less important: they held up Moses’ arms when he was too tired to lift them himself. I love the fact that Aaron and Hur are named in this story: in the kingdom of God, everyone gets to play; everyone’s part is valuable.
Who could you support this week? In prayer, yes – but perhaps also in a Hur-like practical way. ‘The battle belongs to the Lord’ – but we all have our part to play, too.
August – September 2026: The Book of Nehemiah
The Book of Nehemiah is a riveting tale of someone being called by God to do something amazing – and then doing it! Nehemiah is a wonderful character, full of faith, wisdom and practical common sense. Let’s journey with him over the next few weeks, and be inspired by his example.
Epilogue 4, Saturday 26th September – Psalm 106 ‘History lessons’
I’ll admit it – I’m biased. I studied history for my university degree – I love it. I find it fascinating, and will happily read books on most historical subjects now.
I also know that not everyone enjoyed history at school. Memories of rote-learning monarchs, or obsessing over outdated parliamentary laws, or perhaps the very grim subjects of the 20th century, have put a lot of people off. Much better to live in the present, many have concluded.
But today’s psalm – and yesterday’s – give us a different perspective. If I can put aside my own enthusiasm for a moment, there is still great value in learning the lessons of history. As we observed earlier in our series: ‘Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them,’ was once wisely observed by Churchill, paraphrasing the philosopher George Santayana.
But we need history for more than just education. We need it for faith, too. Israel is constantly being given history lessons to remind themselves of who God is: how much he loves them, what he’s done for them, what it means to be the people of God: known, called, loved.
History matters. So here in Psalm 106, as elsewhere, Israel gets its own, very personal, history lesson: God’s faithfulness, their disobedience, but also God’s forgiveness and restoration. ‘Remember who God is – and remember who you are,’ is the repeated reminder.
We, too, can benefit from this advice. The Church, too, has a history. Sadly, we tend to think nowadays only of the shameful seasons of that history. But that is not the whole story – there are also many wonderful seasons and myriad stories of the power of God at work. Maybe now is a time for some of us to read (or re-read) a good Christian biography, or a story of renewal, led by the people of God, which has been forgotten.
Whenever we celebrate a family birthday, we often spend some of the day sharing memories, digging out old photos. We spend time remembering, because remembering builds relationship. Let’s learn that history lesson with God too – in the end, we need history because it helps us to affirm with the psalmist: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’
Loving Lord, who can proclaim your mighty acts, or fully declare your praise? You are amazing. Help me to remember all you’ve done for me today. Thank you for your faithfulness and love, for your goodness and mercy. I give you my heartfelt thanks. Amen.
Epilogue 3, Friday 25th September – Psalm 105 ‘His covenant for ever’
In the area of Streatham where we used to live (in south London), there were no pubs. The reason is that, back in the 17th century, the land was owned by a Quaker family and they had attached a covenant to the land, which forbade it. As a covenant, it was permanent – it lasted forever: even 300 years later it could not be changed. If you wanted a beer, you had to walk a bit further!
The word covenant is little used now, but of immense importance. It means a solemn and unconditional promise. It denotes something permanent and – when formed between two parties – represents something mutual, founded on love. It is how God deals with his people – and also how we are designed to relate to each other in our closest relationships.
Thankfully we still have the word in a Christian marriage service, and this is the biggest difference between a Christian and a civil wedding. In a civil ceremony you have what are called the ‘contracting words’ – this is when the wedding becomes binding, but note the use of language. A Christian marriage, on the other hand, is a covenant – an unconditional vow: ‘That which God has joined together, let no-one put asunder.’
Of course, not all marriages last for life: but the principle of the covenant remains its great strength. And, in biblical terms, marriage is a picture of God’s relationship with us – permanent, faithful, unconditional, mutually loving and giving. Because a covenant can’t be broken, the psalmists and prophets return to this theme repeatedly. For all that we humans let God down, God ‘remembers his covenant for ever’ (v8) – even one made hundreds (or, by now, thousands) of years ago with Abraham. And this is cause for praise and rejoicing.
God’s covenant is likewise good news for us! God remains faithful, God watches over his people, God keeps giving us second chances and fresh starts. And in Jesus, God cements the covenant once and for all. Jesus fulfils all God’s promises to Abraham, and in Christ (and filled with God’s Spirit) we become the covenant people God always designed for us to be.
If the second half of the psalm makes for more challenging reading, behind it lies one simple point: God honours his promises. He promised his people a place to live: and then delivered one. He promised to bless them: and did so, at every turn – even feeding them miraculously when occasion required it (v40-41).
God remembered them – and he remembers us, too. We are part of God’s covenant people now. Which means that you are not forgotten. God too gives us his presence (v39) and meets our needs. How we need that each day – so today, spend a few moments delighting in the fact of God’s covenant to you. Claim his promises. And renew your determination to live in that covenant this day, and always.
Epilogue 2, Thursday 24th September – Psalm 100 ‘Through all generations’
We live in a culture which focuses largely on the now. ‘The past is a foreign country,’ and the future is a crystal ball. Only the present matters.
Whilst we inevitably have to live in the here and now, we also lose so much if we get caught up with this attitude. And not just in practical terms: ‘those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them,’ as the old saying goes. It is a spiritual problem, too. One of the great strengths of Jewish culture – and many other cultures, too – is the sense of ancestry, of a spiritual past. Time and again, God’s people are encouraged to remember the past, what God has done throughout history.
This sense of collective remembrance has a spiritual purpose. It reminded them – and us – of who God is. The actions defined the character. How do we know that God is loving, or good, or faithful? Look at what He’s done. Creation, covenant, and then miraculous rescue, time and again. And this is before we even get to Jesus! As we honour the past, so we see God’s faithfulness writ large.
It applies at a small scale too. We will have personal stories that form part of our past, as well as the famous stories of the heroes of the faith. Never forget them. Take time occasionally to remember them, to declare them. Perhaps today might be a moment to do so for a few minutes.
As we reflect on this short but wonderful psalm, it feels like its ending is really the beginning. This is our bedrock, as it was for God’s people thousands of years ago when this psalm was written: ‘The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.’ (v5)
This is why we can be encouraged to ‘shout for joy’ (v1), to relate to God as our Good Shepherd (v3), to spend time in his presence (v4).
God has been faithful. He is faithful. He will be faithful. May that make us glad today. Amen.
Epilogue 1, Wednesday 23rd September – Psalm 98 ‘The work of salvation’
Nehemiah finished with prayers of remembering. Let’s enjoy a few more days in the ‘psalms of remembering’:
‘Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing: power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hands.’
Some of you will recognise those words as the chorus of one of the most popular worship songs of the last thirty years: ‘My Jesus, my Saviour.’ They’re taken directly from the verses of this psalm (v4, then vv7-8, then v1). And yet, these words were written hundreds of years before Jesus – which begs a useful question: what is ‘the work of God’s hands’ being referred to here? What ‘salvation is being made known’?
The psalm itself doesn’t tell us, but by and large whenever the Old Testament writers – especially the psalmists and prophets – refer to a saving act which God has already done, they’re usually referring to the miraculous rescue from Egypt, especially the two saving acts of Passover and the Crossing of the Red Sea. These were acts of literal salvation which decisively showed the Israelites that this God was their God, and they were his people.
The annual Passover celebration instituted from that moment reminded every generation of what God had done, and instructed the people to ‘make that salvation known’ (v2) afresh. They are called to remember, even as God remembers his love (v3).
But God’s saving work didn’t end at a point in history. God continued to rescue his people: in the time of Gideon, or David, or Hezekiah, and even after exile through the courage of Esther. God always remembers his love for his people.
And so we fast forward several centuries to a new Passover, a new Crossing from certain death to promised life – this time seen on a cross and then in an empty tomb. A new marvellous work of God, whose holy arm works salvation. Our God is the same: yesterday, today and forever. He continues to save, and Jesus is the true and greatest fulfilment of this psalm of praise. What was enacted for a particular people at the Red Sea was enacted for all people for all time at Calvary. There Jesus revealed God’s righteousness to the nations, so that all the ends of the earth might see the salvation of our God.
So it is quite right for that famous song to put Jesus at the heart of this psalm. And perhaps, if we know it, we too can sing the song in response. Let us sing a new song today, and be inspired to make his salvation known wherever God grants us the chance.
Loving Lord, I sing for joy at the work of your hands. Thank you that you always remember your love for me. Help me to abide in that love, and know your continuing saving work in my life. Amen.
Day 25, Tuesday 22nd September – Nehemiah 13:23-31 ‘Remember me, my God’
Every November we have our season of remembrance. It begins with All Saints Day on the 1st – a chance to remember the global church – moves through Bonfire Night and concludes with Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, when we remember the impact of war, and rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace. Remembering is important, and necessary; it forms a major theme of scripture. Time and again, God’s people are called to remember – their God, their history, their unfaithfulness, God’s faithfulness – because our memory is our identity.
What’s interesting, though, is that it’s not always one-way traffic. In fact, in the Psalms, the great ‘book of remembering,’ there are more references to God remembering us (16) than the other way round (11). God, of course, unlike us does not have a problem with memory – but calling this to mind serves in the Psalms as both a wonderful affirmation of faith, and a heartfelt prayer.
Perhaps it is no surprise to find Nehemiah concluding his own story in similar terms. As we observed a couple of days ago, chapter 13 is a sobering way to finish the tale, and what punctuates this last part of the story is that simple prayer: ‘Remember me, my God.’ Nehemiah increasingly feels like King Cnut, endlessly trying to push back the unstoppable tide of disobedience and spiritual apathy. After all his endeavours, all he can cry out is: ‘Remember me, my God.’
I think the pattern of these prayers is significant, too. Someone once observed to me that most people start as Arminians and end up as Calvinists; it’s a posh way of saying that when we’re young, we think faith is all about us, about how much we can do for the Lord. As we get older though, increasingly we realise how reliant we are on the grace of God. We become – painfully and joyfully – conscious that it’s all grace. It’s not about us, it’s about God.
Nehemiah’s final reflections seem to follow this pattern. Look how they start: (v14) ‘Remember me for… what I have so faithfully done.’ Then (v22): ‘Remember me… show mercy to me according to your great love.’ And finally, here in the last verse, a simple cry from the heart: ‘Remember me with favour, my God.’ I’ve done all I can, but in the end, it’s all you.
It bears a striking resemblance to the prayer of the thief on the cross: ‘Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.’ Yet, the contrast between the two couldn’t be greater, could it? The thief who had nothing to offer Jesus but this one prayer; and Nehemiah who had lived a life of outstanding service and great achievement. In their last words, though, the only way they can truly approach God is exactly the same: ‘Remember me, my God.’ It’s all grace. It’s all about God, and not about us.
It’s a good way to finish this story, isn’t it? After all the exploits, Nehemiah is not ultimately a book about Nehemiah, it’s a book about God. As we’ve seen throughout, Nehemiah’s great life relied on God’s grace and was lived in humility. He finished how he started.
May this be the pattern of our life’s journey, too. It’s not how we start, it’s how we finish. ‘Remember me, my God.’ Because it’s not about me; it’s all about you. Amen.
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