In Nehemiah 7 and 8 the wall is completed. Nehemiah appoints guards to watch their posts. The city is large and the inhabitants are few so it is difficult to watch the entire city. Nehemiah finds a genealogy of the people who have come into Jerusalem and Judah.

He also has a list of the priests and temple servants. Everyone must prove they belong in Judah. Those that can’t are not allowed to be priests until someone comes to determine their eligibility. This is to be done with the Urim and Thummin, which are believed to be stones or small plates that determine one’s guilt or innocence in a similar manner to flipping a coin.

The leaders, including Nehemiah, and the people give money to the treasury. The people finally settle into their towns.

Everyone gathers at one of the gates of the city to hear the book of the law of God read by the priest Ezra. The people weep when they hear the law that has not been read for 70 years while they were in exile. The Levites explain the law so all understand it. They worship God and are sent home to feast. The leaders consult with Ezra about the law and find out that they are to be celebrating the Festival of Booths. They build booths on their houses and celebrate for a week. This is the first time in a long time that they have kept the festival. After the festival they gather for solemn worship.

Sometimes we feel that if we give up practicing our faith we can never go back again. The story of the people of Israel assures us that we can always come back to God.

In Luke 8 Jesus travels throughout Israel with his disciples and some women. He tells a parable of a sower who plants seed. When the disciples ask the meaning of the parable, he says it is about the word of God. Many people hear it but it only takes root in some. Those in whom the word has taken root should not hide their faith.

One day they go across the lake. A storm rises and the disciples become frightened. Jesus calms the storm and asks why they were afraid.

We will encounter storms in our life. Our confidence in Jesus’ presence with us can keep us calm throughout.

Jesus meets a man who has many demons. The demons recognize him right away. Jesus puts the demons into a herd of swine. The swine drown themselves in the lake. The man wants to come with Jesus but Jesus tells him to tell the people he knows what happened.

Jesus meets a religious leader who asks him to heal his dying daughter. Jesus accompanies him to his house. On the way a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years touches the fringe on his clothes. Jesus feels power leaving him and asks who touched him. The woman comes forward to say that she had been healed. One of the leader’s servants tells him his daughter has died. Jesus goes to the house anyway. He brings the child back to life.

Jesus tells the leader and his wife, “Do not fear. Only believe…” If we give ourselves over to fear our troubles have already won. On the other hand, if we put our trust in Jesus he will see us through. No matter what the outcome we will have won the battle.