55-Days Devotional Journey - Day 55
July 25, 2025 (Friday)

Scripture:
In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."

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.

In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?"

And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits.

Remember me, O my God, for good.
Nehemiah 13:15-31 (ESV)

Reflection:
The Book of Nehemiah does not end with a joyful celebration, but with a serious confrontation. Despite all the progress —rebuilt walls, renewed worship, and covenant commitments —God's people fell back into disobedience. Nehemiah, grieved and angered, called the community to repentance and action once again. His final words were not triumphal but humble: "Remember me, O my God, for good."

This ending may feel unresolved, yet it carries profound truth. A spiritual journey is never finished with one emotional high. Daily choices of faithfulness must follow renewal. The real test of revival is not how passionately we begin, but how steadfastly we continue.

As we conclude our 55-day devotional journey at NYCBC, we do so with joy, but also with soberness. God's Word has spoken to us individually and as a community. We have prayed, repented, and reflected. But now comes the greater calling: to live it out.

Our journey does not end here. If anything, this is the beginning of deeper obedience. The challenges we face as a church, across generations, cultures, and languages, require us all to seek God's will above our own. Together, we must choose not convenience, but conviction; not routine, but renewal; not drifting, but dedication.

Let our prayer echo Nehemiah's: "Lord, remember us. Help us to remain faithful."

Reflection Question:
What has God revealed to you during this 55-day devotional journey? Are there areas in your life or in our church where we are drifting from faithfulness? What steps will you take to walk in greater obedience together with your church family? How can we encourage one another to remain steadfast in God's mission?

Prayer:
Faithful God, we thank you for walking with us through these 55 days. You have reminded us of Your truth, corrected our hearts, and invited us into deeper trust. Now, as we end this devotional journey, may we not walk away unchanged. Teach us to persevere, not just in emotion, but also in obedience. Help us remain vigilant, watching over our lives and our community with love, humility, and a purposeful heart. Forgive us when we drift or compromise. Restore in us a passion for Your Word and Your ways. Together as one church family, we pray: "Remember me, O my God, for good." Remember our desire to follow You. Strengthen us to be faithful, not just for a season, but for the long road ahead. Let our lives and our life together bring glory to You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

By Pastor Pierre Tang