Thursday, June 9, 2011

Let Us Arise and Build

Day two of studying Nehemiah- Chapter 2.

The basis of this chapter is on having the faith in the Lord that he will do what He says He will do and trusting in Him to see it through. "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace. It is so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times." -Martin Luther.

4 Months had passed since Nehemiah's brother had told him about his fellow Jews. In those months, he prayed fervantly and fasted, waiting on the Lord to provide the right time to approach the king. Psalm 27:14- "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Warren Wersbe says, "True faith in God brings a calmness to the heart that keeps us from rushing about and trying to do in our own strength what only God can do." In verse 2, the king noticed Nehemiah's sorrow and asked him what made him sad. Nehemiah shared his sorrow over his people and the kings reply was, "What would you request?" (verse 4). What does Nehemiah do next? He says a quick prayer to the God of heaven- but remember, this is backed up by four months of prayer and fasting! He doesn't just say a quick prayer when he needs the Lord. Then he asks the king to send him (verse 4-6) and provide him with the means (verse 7-8). He wanted the king's authority before he did anything- he didn't go around the law or his authority. Afterall, God is the ultimate authority over all authority. Proverbs 21:1- "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever he wishes." God works through believers like Nehemiah, but he can also work through nonbelievers to accomplish His will.

Once Nehemiah reached the city, he rested and then at night he went and surveyed the walls and the city while his officers and his enemies were sleeping. (verse 11-16)He shares what he finds with the officials and Jews and tells them, "Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach." (verse 17) And the people answer and say, "Let us arise and build." (verse 18) and then they put their hands to work. They were ready! God had prepared their hearts and after being destroyed and after they had failed once to rebuild (Ezra 4), they were ready to rise up and build! After trials, tragedies, or just allowing the enemy a hold in our life we  need to rise up and build! However, they were riduled and discouraged by their enemies. Their enemy even tried to taunt them by saying, "Are you rebelling against the king?" (verse 19). This strategy had worked before (Ezra 4) and they had failed to rebuild. Nehemiah could have debated with them and told them he had the authority of the king, or even ignore them. But instead he told them that this was God's work, the Jews were His servants, and they had no part in it. (verse 20).

Nehemiah was a great example of a leader for us.
As a leader, we can ask ourselves:
-Are we burdened for his work and what are we willing to sacrifice? Do we take it all on or ask for others' help? How do we moitivate people to do His work and are they following the Ultimate leader or us?
What about as a follower?
-Do we cling to the past or what God is doing? Do we put our hands to work (verse 18)?

It's time to put our hands to work and rise up and build!

No comments:

Post a Comment