Name:
Nehemiah
Meaning:
Jehovah has comforted
His
Character: Nehemiah was a leader who had the courage to see out his
vision. He was a planner who was able to organize and motivate the people to
accomplish what seemed impossible. Nehemiah also understood the importance of
prayer.
His
Sorrow: Nehemiah was deeply troubled by the state of Jerusalem.
Although he never had previously been there, Nehemiah longed for where he knew
was home.
His
Triumph: Nehemiah accomplished what seemed impossible. He
accomplished what he felt was his call, which was to rebuild the wall surrounding
Jerusalem.
Key
Scriptures: Book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah was a Jew living in exile
in Babylon. The Jewish people had been defeated by the Assyrians and taken as
slaves to the foreign land. The Assyrians were conquered by the Persians.
Nehemiah was the cup bearer, adviser, and escort to Artaxerxes, who was the
king of Persia. In his position, Nehemiah was the food taster for Artaxerxes
and had the trust of the king and with that came influence.
As a Jew exiled in Babylon, Nehemiah was
concerned about the present and future of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s story picks up
70 years after Zerubbabel rebuilt God’s Temple and 13 years after Ezra had
returned to Jerusalem to deal with the spiritual needs of the people. Nehemiah
learned of the poor conditions of Jerusalem from his brother, Hanani. Hanani
told of walls that had been torn down and gates that had been destroyed by
fire. Nehemiah mourned this information and fasted and prayed.
Nehemiah saw a problem, and he sought God’s
help in being part of the solution. Nehemiah’s prayer, found in verses 4 – 11
of chapter one, was a sincere plea asking for God’s guidance. His prayer
thanked God for who He was, confessed his shortcomings, reminded God of His
promises to His people, and asked for God’s favor and power to make a
difference.
Nehemiah was able to use his position with
King Artaxerxes to gain clearance and the material he would need for his
assignment. Rebuilding the wall seemed like an impossible task, but like
Nehemiah, we serve a God who can do the impossible. And remember Nehemiah
started his task with prayer.
Nehemiah started with prayer, and he prayed
throughout his assignment. He understood the power of prayer. Nehemiah was a
leader who rebuilt the wall quickly and efficiently despite opposition and
resistance. Nehemiah faced the opposition and resistance calmly with faith.
Even the enemies of Israel recognized God’s favor over His people.
Nehemiah’s accomplishment also caused a spiritual
awakening in the people of God who had been living in sin. The success was
another reminder of God’s favor over them and His never-failing mercy toward
Israel. After the wall was rebuilt, Nehemiah focused on social and economic
issues. Nehemiah worked with Ezra to lead the people in worship and Bible
study. Nehemiah also helped form a needed sense of community.
Nehemiah is an example of how God works
through us. He places us in strategic positions. Through these positions, we
develop relationships with people whose resources and/or influence help us to
accomplish what seems impossible. God uses our gifts, talents, personalities,
experiences, and backgrounds to serve His purpose, with each seemingly random
twist preparing us to fulfill His purpose.
Nehemiah is also an example of the
importance and power of prayer and walking with God. Interestingly enough I had
shared with Sister Crystal how I needed to focus on my prayer life. Reading and
writing about Nehemiah has inspired me and is another example of God’s perfect
timing in all things.
We must begin all things with prayer. In your prayers, talk to God and
also share your concerns, fears, questions, dreams, and feelings with Him. He
knows already. Our prayer lives will lead to us walking closer with God as we
live out our lives and fulfill our purposes, even those that are seemingly
impossible, through Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment