Nehemiah project
- 1. “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.“ Martin Luther King Jr. A PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT ... REBUIDING THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM AND ITS GATES. For a very long time the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart some idea that emanated from the Book of Nehemiah. His approach to rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the burnt down gates is quite remarkable. This brief study is an overview of the Book of Nehemiah. In this study we will share some insights on identifying opportunities in the midst of life's adversities. We will learn how to respond to life's challenges with the mind of Christ by focusing on God and His Kingdom values. FIRST OF ALL... NEHEMIAH WAS VERY COMFORTABLE AND HAD JOB SECURITY: His job was dignified and secure. He was a senior member of staff in the royal palace. He served the King Artaxerxes directly as his cup bearer. He was one man that had the high honor and privilege of standing in the presence of the King everyday. Not even the Queen had so great a privilege. The life of King Artaxerxes was literally entrusted into Nehemiah's hands as the Secretary of Defence (Cup bearer) This means that Nehemiah was the one who tasted every drink before the King drank it. By implication, if anyone wanted to poison the King, Nehemiah would first taste the poisoned drink or reject it so as to save the King's life. It is similar to taking the bullet for the President of the USA. On the other hand, If Nehemiah got careless and the King's enemies slipped past him and got to the King, once the king dies, Nehemiah would be as good as dead the next second. It was a position of great trust, honor and dignity. He was so very highly remunerated that the King's enemies could never afford to bribe him to betray the King. Moreover, he must never appear in the King's presence with a sad countenance. It could cost him his life. Above all, Nehemiah understood that it was God that put him in this lofty leadership position for His own glory and purpose. NEHEMIAH CONCERNED HIMSELF WITH Though so very highly placed in government, Nehemiah chose to primarily concern Himself with the same things He had learned were God's priorities: God's Kingdom, the Welfare of Jerusalem, the City of God and the welfare of the Jewish people ... God's people. He chose to make God's concern His concern. He lived and worked with the most powerful earthly King, yet His heart never departed from the throne room of the King of Glory. He was in good company with others in that class. Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach and AbedNego. These exiled Jews did not allow the glamor of the palace to steal their heart away from the God of the ancient covenants. Moses too was remarkably in that class. Hebrews 11:25-29 25 "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned." Of course, Nehemiah had earned his right to a life of luxury in the palace of King Artaxerxes. He did not get there by living loosely and frivolously. He developed and disciplined himself and worked his way to the top. Yet being on
- 2. top was not his actual goal. He kept his eyes on the One who positioned Him there, kept his ears tuned to the same God he knew and served when he was NOTHING and allowed his heart to feel what God's heart felt in the moment. He did not switch from old friends to more socially acceptable ones that suited his new status in government. When some of us rise socially and economically, we kick our old friends and childhood "buddies" out of our inner circle, because we think that "we have moved on". Well have we really? Let's ask Nehemiah. While in this dignified position in the palace, Nehemiah kept in close contact with Hanani whom he referred to as "one of my brethren" not "one of my sons". Based on our financial stature and size of our ministry, we change the tone and designation of our various relationships within the body of Christ. We no longer feel adequate enough to be brethren instead we prefer to be fathers and mothers ... superiority complex, feeding something in us that is holding us to ransom. Nehemiah kept his door open to Hanani, one of his brethren. Nehemiah kept in close proximity with his roots by asking the right questions concerning "the Jews that had escaped which were left, and concerning Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH CHOSE TO MAINTAIN A TENDER HEART TOWARD GOD AND THE BRETHREN AND A TOUGH MIND TOWARD HIS JOB. When Hanani hinted Nehemiah of the State of the Nation of Israel and updated him regarding the deplorable state the city of Jerusalem and that the temple of God and the 'City of the Great King was in ruins, Nehemiah's heart broke. He cried unashamedly in the presence of his brethren and prayed out loud to God for a reversal of the situation. What the natural man in Nehemiah's Position would have done: The natural man in the words of Apostle Paul in the epistle to the Corinthians, is the un-regenerated man, man in his unsaved state, not born again, self dominated man in his Adamic nature. If Nehemiah was a natural man, his prayer would reflect his ego and self-centeredness. When this self-centeredness is coated with spirituality, it has an interesting undertone but the old sinful nature is not hidden. •"I am blessed and highly favored that is why I am here doing so well and the other Jews are languishing in agony in Israel. Ain't God good?" It is all about I, me and myself. •When bad things are happening in front. God makes sure I am behind. When it is happening behind, God makes sure I am in front. My steps are ordered by the Lord. This is twisted, stinking thinking. Jesus challenged this kind of self righteous thinking in Luke 13:1-5. "There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish". Message Bible: 13 1-5 About that time some people came up and told him about the Galileans Pilate had killed while they were at worship, mixing their blood with the blood of the sacrifices on the altar. Jesus responded, •Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die. And those eighteen in Jerusalem the other day, the ones crushed and killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed and fell on them, do you think they were worse citizens than all other Jerusalemites? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die.• • The wisdom here is Life happens. Tragedies and adversities are a part of life. When God allows it like He did when His Only begotten Son suffered and died on the Cross, it is not to be viewed of considered as God's judgment for sins committed. It is all a part of God's Sovereignty which no man can totally understand or decode. Mr Job understood this. So did Abraham and the Apostle Paul (2Corinthans 12 1-8)
- 3. There must be some sin in the lives of those who are being crushed under this oppression in Jerusalem. They deserve what they are getting. Let us keep praying for them that God may restore his former glory on Jerusalem. •What the Spirit filled faithful Man in Nehemiah's Position would do. • He would Break down before God and lament for the state of the House and City of Our God. He would Pray inclusively not exclusively ... Nehemiah 1:5- 11. Nehemiah was not just praying for Jerusalem and the Jews. He was not just repenting of the sins committed by the woeful "others" who sinned against God. He included himself as part of the problem and supplicated for God's mercy and forgiveness on "us". He did not exclude himself from the problematic crowd. He included himself as part of the problem. • Nehemiah embrace the personal responsibility to pray ... He was a motivated intercessor. I sat down and wept and mourned certain days and prayed and fasted before the God of heaven. (v.5-6) . I beseech thee... I pray . Nehemiah did not wait for someone to start praying first so he can join. He stepped forward and started praying and undertook personally whether of not others joined. • I confess the sins of the children of Israel, We have sinned against thee...both I an my father's house. We have dealt very corruptly against thee •A very close study of the prayer of Nehemiah will reveal that he was a humble, compassionate , selfless disciple of Almighty God who never pointed accusing fingers or tried to justify himself or elevate himself above others in any manner.