A Word from the WORD: "RESTORING THE RUINS" (Article 215)
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Life Fellowship
Jan 14, 2010, 12:40:06 PM1/14/10
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RESTORING THE RUINS
Things go round and round. Solomon observed “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). When we study the Old Testament in particular and trace the journey of Israel, it reveals that the people kept going round and round as well!
Think of a clock. If we were to describe Israel's relationship with God in terms of “time”, it would appear like this. 12 o'clock represents the peak of intimacy. At this time, Israel and God are in close communion. Israel is holy and in good fellowship with God. All nations around Israel live in fear and awe of her.
But slowly, Israel begins to move away from her God. And the time changes! 6.30 portrays the time when the people have completely forsaken God, abandoned His ways and are totally independent. They become easy prey to their enemies and end up in slavery or exile.
The incident in the book of Nehemiah which we now look at has the time at 6.30. The Jews have been taken over by the Persian Empire. Jerusalem is in ruins. Nehemiah is taken captive and living as an exile in Persia.
Nehemiah is an ordinary man. He is easily disposable. The post of “cup-bearer to the king” was no position of repute. One who occupied the office, infact, lived under the constant threat of death. In those days, if one wanted to assassinate the king, he only needed to put poison in the drink. It was therefore mandatory that before the king would drink from the cup, the cupbearer would first need to taste the wine in his presence.
So Nehemiah is just like any one of us. And that is good news. For it tells us that if God could use him to accomplish His purposes, He will use ordinary people like us as well.
One day, Nehemiah discovers through some men who come from Judah the grim state of affairs in Jerusalem. He is told that the people who survived the exile and were back in the province were in great trouble and disgrace. Furthermore, the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down and its gates burned with fire.
Things go round and round. Solomon observed “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). When we study the Old Testament in particular and trace the journey of Israel, it reveals that the people kept going round and round as well!
Think of a clock. If we were to describe Israel's relationship with God in terms of “time”, it would appear like this. 12 o'clock represents the peak of intimacy. At this time, Israel and God are in close communion. Israel is holy and in good fellowship with God. All nations around Israel live in fear and awe of her.
But slowly, Israel begins to move away from her God. And the time changes! 6.30 portrays the time when the people have completely forsaken God, abandoned His ways and are totally independent. They become easy prey to their enemies and end up in slavery or exile.
The incident in the book of Nehemiah which we now look at has the time at 6.30. The Jews have been taken over by the Persian Empire. Jerusalem is in ruins. Nehemiah is taken captive and living as an exile in Persia.
Nehemiah is an ordinary man. He is easily disposable. The post of “cup-bearer to the king” was no position of repute. One who occupied the office, infact, lived under the constant threat of death. In those days, if one wanted to assassinate the king, he only needed to put poison in the drink. It was therefore mandatory that before the king would drink from the cup, the cupbearer would first need to taste the wine in his presence.
So Nehemiah is just like any one of us. And that is good news. For it tells us that if God could use him to accomplish His purposes, He will use ordinary people like us as well.
One day, Nehemiah discovers through some men who come from Judah the grim state of affairs in Jerusalem. He is told that the people who survived the exile and were back in the province were in great trouble and disgrace. Furthermore, the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down and its gates burned with fire.
What does it take to change the entire situation?
1. PAIN AND PRAYER
(1:1-11)
When Nehemiah hears the report, he immediately sits down and weeps. He mourns for some days. If the walls of God's purpose have to be built up in our communities, somebody has to get burdened. Nehemiah didn't hear the report and say “O what a shame!” No, he felt the pain. He began to have a burden.
Whatever God wants to do always starts with a burden. It starts with us being disturbed. This burden challenges, changes and channels us into the full purpose and plan of God.
As Christians, we often don't like to be burdened. We prefer “comfort” to the “cross”. But if the community must be transformed, the pain of people dying without Jesus must grip us. As Jesus directed His disciples to lift up their eyes and look at the fields, we too should look and not shut our eyes or ignore reality by saying “There's still time!”
What burdens you? What disturbs you? What makes you feel uncomfortable? This is what God is using to talk to you. This what is going to shape you. This is going to be your ministry.
What can Nehemiah do as an ordinary man in response to this big problem, this great task? He takes the mightiest weapon of them all. He resorts to “fasting and prayer”. He begins to seek the face of God for guidance and depend on the hand of God to work on his behalf.
When Nehemiah hears the report, he immediately sits down and weeps. He mourns for some days. If the walls of God's purpose have to be built up in our communities, somebody has to get burdened. Nehemiah didn't hear the report and say “O what a shame!” No, he felt the pain. He began to have a burden.
Whatever God wants to do always starts with a burden. It starts with us being disturbed. This burden challenges, changes and channels us into the full purpose and plan of God.
As Christians, we often don't like to be burdened. We prefer “comfort” to the “cross”. But if the community must be transformed, the pain of people dying without Jesus must grip us. As Jesus directed His disciples to lift up their eyes and look at the fields, we too should look and not shut our eyes or ignore reality by saying “There's still time!”
What burdens you? What disturbs you? What makes you feel uncomfortable? This is what God is using to talk to you. This what is going to shape you. This is going to be your ministry.
What can Nehemiah do as an ordinary man in response to this big problem, this great task? He takes the mightiest weapon of them all. He resorts to “fasting and prayer”. He begins to seek the face of God for guidance and depend on the hand of God to work on his behalf.
Notice that Nehemiah did not start
with a “plan” but with a “prayer”. The prayer birthed the plan! We must learn to
come before God with our burden and then wait on Him to give us the
plan.
If we read Nehemiah's prayer, it also teaches us another lesson. Whenever we begin to pray, we must always start with our “big God”, not with our “big burden”! And then we must acknowledge who we are- Nehemiah confessed his sins and admitted his failure to walk in the ways of God. When we acknowledge our need for His mercy, then we receive His grace for our need (Hebrews 4:16).
2. FAITH AND FAVOUR (2:1- 9)
Nehemiah continues to serve the king but his heart is downcast. Because he is normally radiant, the king easily notices it when his face looks sad and makes enquiry.
This is such a wonderful description of the cupbearer. Here he is in exile and in the most difficult office and yet he has never grumbled or complained before. He has always maintained a cheerful spirit and kept his joy. It is when we are faithful in ordinary matters and everyday affairs of life that God begins to open up doors to the extraordinary.
Although Nehemiah is afraid upon hearing the king's question, he trusts in the Lord and takes a step of faith. He seizes the opportunity and shares with the king his problem. God moves the king's heart and the heathen ruler heeds the request of an ordinary slave, not only giving him permission to travel to Jerusalem but also providing all the resources for the work.
This is not the only place where we see God working in the hearts of pagan rulers and officials to advance His kingdom and assist His people. We have several examples in both the Old and New Testaments. All these incidents serve to remind us of the sovereignty of God- that He is in control and is working out His purposes on this earth. All of us are involved in the “Father's business”. This is His work and we are always invited to join Him in what He is doing on this earth!
3. WORK AND WATCH (2:11-6:16)
When we have God's plan and are in God's time, things can happen very quickly. Nehemiah reaches Jerusalem, inspects the walls and then goes to the people. He explains to them the problem, elaborates on the providence experienced and provision received, and encourages them with a plan of action. He casts a vision of how things are supposed to be.
All the Jews respond positively except for the men of Tekoa. Later on, however, they too join in the work. Nehemiah is able to unite the people and resist all the temptations and threats that the Enemy brings.
If we read Nehemiah's prayer, it also teaches us another lesson. Whenever we begin to pray, we must always start with our “big God”, not with our “big burden”! And then we must acknowledge who we are- Nehemiah confessed his sins and admitted his failure to walk in the ways of God. When we acknowledge our need for His mercy, then we receive His grace for our need (Hebrews 4:16).
2. FAITH AND FAVOUR (2:1- 9)
Nehemiah continues to serve the king but his heart is downcast. Because he is normally radiant, the king easily notices it when his face looks sad and makes enquiry.
This is such a wonderful description of the cupbearer. Here he is in exile and in the most difficult office and yet he has never grumbled or complained before. He has always maintained a cheerful spirit and kept his joy. It is when we are faithful in ordinary matters and everyday affairs of life that God begins to open up doors to the extraordinary.
Although Nehemiah is afraid upon hearing the king's question, he trusts in the Lord and takes a step of faith. He seizes the opportunity and shares with the king his problem. God moves the king's heart and the heathen ruler heeds the request of an ordinary slave, not only giving him permission to travel to Jerusalem but also providing all the resources for the work.
This is not the only place where we see God working in the hearts of pagan rulers and officials to advance His kingdom and assist His people. We have several examples in both the Old and New Testaments. All these incidents serve to remind us of the sovereignty of God- that He is in control and is working out His purposes on this earth. All of us are involved in the “Father's business”. This is His work and we are always invited to join Him in what He is doing on this earth!
3. WORK AND WATCH (2:11-6:16)
When we have God's plan and are in God's time, things can happen very quickly. Nehemiah reaches Jerusalem, inspects the walls and then goes to the people. He explains to them the problem, elaborates on the providence experienced and provision received, and encourages them with a plan of action. He casts a vision of how things are supposed to be.
All the Jews respond positively except for the men of Tekoa. Later on, however, they too join in the work. Nehemiah is able to unite the people and resist all the temptations and threats that the Enemy brings.
In order to successfully rebuild
the walls, the people work and watch. Building and battling must go together. We
must abound in the work of the Lord and be alert for enemy attack.
Within a span of just 52 days, the entire wall surrounding Jerusalem is reconstructed! What had lain in ruins for several years has now been rebuilt in a few days! As the walls go up, the praises of God also go up!
We must realize that the walls did not go up during a “revival”. Some of us are waiting for a revival to break out in order to sort out or deal with issues. But revival is not the answer to all our problems. Revival does not build the church long-term. The wall was built and victory was experienced when the people of God decided to work together and fulfil the purpose of God. We must not lazily wait for revival to start working!
Within a span of just 52 days, the entire wall surrounding Jerusalem is reconstructed! What had lain in ruins for several years has now been rebuilt in a few days! As the walls go up, the praises of God also go up!
We must realize that the walls did not go up during a “revival”. Some of us are waiting for a revival to break out in order to sort out or deal with issues. But revival is not the answer to all our problems. Revival does not build the church long-term. The wall was built and victory was experienced when the people of God decided to work together and fulfil the purpose of God. We must not lazily wait for revival to start working!
The grace of the
Lord Jesus be with you!
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