A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse November 2, 2018 Finger Pointing Scripture Reading – Nehemiah 1:4 - 6"When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, 'O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!" 

It always has puzzled me how quickly people can sit in their chairs with incredible control over the remote on their television and criticize professional teams. Take hockey for example (should we see it this year) - 'That goalie has to go'; 'Fire the coach'; 'Get rid of the team captain, he's not carrying his weight'; or my personal favorite - 'I could stop the puck better than he'.

Perhaps this is my personal favorite because I remember in house league hockey as a seven-year-old putting on the goalie pads and being terrified of the mighty shots coming into the net. I think that one moment in such a position would cure any arm-chair quarter-backs as they are called. Even our professional hockey traded numbers of great players, only to realize that they are flourishing in other cities, while we once again last year missed the playoffs!  Of course the same attitude grips many spiritually, as they are quick to criticize everything that may be wrong in the church and with the work of God, without considering for a moment what they may do to help.

I must confess, I never have taken such a posture, for I know that once I will stand before the judge of all the earth and answer for any such, 'Finger Pointing'.

Nehemiah did much the same as after asking how things were in the Holy City discovering that the walls were broken down. Rather than blame others, he blamed himself, yes, even his own family - although he was serving the court of the King far away from Jerusalem.

Reminds me of others I see in the bible like: Moses who pled for the children of God, Isaiah who called himself one of unclean lips, and perhaps most of all Jesus, who prays still today, 'Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing', with His arms of grace open wide for all who will call.

If ever I will point the finger Lord, may it start with me I pray.

Prayer Father help me to cry, to fast, to pray, forgive me for finger pointing and make me a part of Your holy solution I pray in Jesus precious name.

Memory Verse: Exodus 33:11a "_______ the Tent of _________, the ______ would ______ to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a _______."