It started with an inquiry: Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah was a man who became very remorseful when he learned the state of his brethren and the wall at Jerusalem. He was also fully aware of what preceded their plight--the Jews had rebelled against God and His commandments and as a result their house was left in ruins. After receiving this bleak report, Nehemiah immediately sat down, wept and mourned for many days, praying and fasting before the God of heaven. He confessed his own sins and those of his fellow countrymen. He called on God to grant him mercy and favor in the sight of the king, for he was the king’s cupbearer.
Then on a day when he presented the king with wine, the king asked the reason why his face was sad since he wasn’t sick. His dread before the king was suddenly replaced with this bold reply: “Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs lies waste and its gates are burned with fire?” Nehemiah 2:3
Nehemiah's deep concern led him to make intercessions to God: He longed to rebuild that which was fallen down, that which was left in a state of distress and reproach. To stand in the gap for those whose flame had been extinguished. To offer hope and a beacon of light to those who lost their way. To gather again the stones and lay a foundation for the restoration of God’s glory, in a place that once experienced his power and presence. But now, His people had become the tail instead of the head. Hear Nehemiah’s words: “Here we are, servants today! and the land that You gave to our fathers, to eat its fruit and its bounty, here we are, servants in it! and it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us, because of our sins; also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle at their pleasure and we are in great distress. And because of all this, we make a sure covenant and write it; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.” Nehemiah 9:36-38
Filled with passion and zeal, this determined man of God set about the business of restoration, and that has become our business, who are alive today— who fear the God of heaven and earth, who desire that His glory be resplendent in the earth. So like Nehemiah, let us view the ruins, gather the willing in heart and begin the repairs. The same good hand of God that was upon Nehemiah will prosper our way, as we seek out the lost, the broken in spirit, the afflicted, the oppressed, the outcast. We build with utmost assurance that we are doing a great work, so that we cannot come down. Why should the work cease while we leave it and go down to our detractors? Nay, we press on. May the Lord reward you child of God, as you endeavor to preserve the faith for future generations! Amen.
Filled with passion and zeal, this determined man of God set about the business of restoration, and that has become our business, who are alive today— who fear the God of heaven and earth, who desire that His glory be resplendent in the earth. So like Nehemiah, let us view the ruins, gather the willing in heart and begin the repairs. The same good hand of God that was upon Nehemiah will prosper our way, as we seek out the lost, the broken in spirit, the afflicted, the oppressed, the outcast. We build with utmost assurance that we are doing a great work, so that we cannot come down. Why should the work cease while we leave it and go down to our detractors? Nay, we press on. May the Lord reward you child of God, as you endeavor to preserve the faith for future generations! Amen.
- A Walk In The Garden Devotions
