Behold.

"Behold, we are slaves this day, and as for the land that You gave to our fathers to eat the fruit and the good of it, behold, we are slaves in it" (Nehemiah 9:36 AMP). In the Old Testament, the children of Israel always battled with the flesh just as we do today. They battled and desired the things of their own hearts and idols from the nations that surrounded them. So, the Lord would allow the enemy to come upon them. As soon as the Israelites saw and knew that the Lord was not with them, they would begin to cry out for their Savior once again. The Lord would heard their cry, and He would save them from the enemy. They were free once again because God is merciful and is true to His covenant. However, the minute the Israelites gained strength and got some rest, they would do the same old evil again. As a result, God would allow the enemy to come back and cause chaos and destruction among them. So, this went on and on for 40 years in the wilderness, just as it does in the modern-day church. The children of Israel became slaves in their homeland because their kings and princes did not serve God nor give regards to the Lord. As a result, the children of Israel once again became slaves. It is no different today. There are governments and presidents in many countries that don't believe in the Lord as our Savior. So, we fall under their dictatorship, and we become slaves in our own land. God has to hear the cries of His children once again. A cry from a broken heart. A cry from the children in slavery. Give God praise this day. Amen.