Day 254..."A large city with few people...Phony attempts to use God's power"

Nehemiah describes a completed wall and, in chapter seven, new gates with a thinly populated city..."The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Perhaps an image of New Orleans following Katrina would help us identify with the exiles returning to the city. Leadership principals are also included as they selected those who were..."faithful and God-fearing." A detailed and orderly account is also presented by Nehemiah of the exiles who returned. Isaiah speaks of the Biblical theme of humility in chapter 57..."Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way.” For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:“I dwell in the high and holy place,and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite." Many were fascinated with Paul's ability to heal (the cloths he touche even held healing power)...exorcists tried to intercept the power of God in performing miracles. The evil spirits overtook them. God's power cannot be manipulated by frauds for other purposes. A relationship with God is required to bear witness of His power.