Reform
Words of Faith 8-11-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Nehemiah 9
[38] "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

The revival in Nehemiah led to major reforms that were written and sealed by the priests. The people committed themselves with great resolve to change in the hope that the mistakes of the past, which had resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem, would never occur again. Specifically, they committed with renewed vigor to their observance of Sabbath, matters of purity, the Law, and tithing. The hope was that through “right living” the blessing of God would remain upon the people.

Many scholars mark this historic moment as the birthplace of modern observant Judaism. Certainly, the roots of what became the Pharisee movement, which was so visible in New Testament times, are found here in the powerful commitment to the Law. Attention was paid to the exhaustive study of the Law in the years to come. Great effort was made to avoid breaking the Law and risking the catastrophes of the past.

These changes and the emphasis on holy living dramatically shaped the world in which Jesus would grow up. Eventually, the coming of Jesus would bring a New Covenant of grace and a righteousness received by faith. But at this time, the only choice that made any sense was to live as closely to the Law as possible.

These changes were not a bad thing. Reform is not a bad thing. Just because we live under the Gospel of God's grace does not mean we do not need to be reformed. But our motive and operation for reform are different. As believers under grace, we recognize that only God can really reform us. His grace transforms us. We are not reformed in order to avoid catastrophe; we are reformed because we have been saved from catastrophe. We are not reformed in order to earn righteousness; we are reformed in response to the righteousness Jesus has imputed to us by His grace. We cooperate with God to reform our lives so that we may live with joy more closely with God. His ways are right, pure, and holy.

Over the next few days, we will look at some of the Nehemiah reforms and apply them to our time. But before we do, we might do well to begin more personally. Is there a reform that God is speaking to you about in your life? Is there something that He has desired to change? Today is the very best day on which to see that changes begin.

Lord God, reform me. Remold me. Reshape me into exactly who and what You desire me to be. Not by my effort or my observance but by Your grace, allow me to walk closely with You. Keep me close to You. Keep me from disaster. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.