Nehemiah
means, "Jehovah comforts". He was cupbearer to the king Artaxerxes,
king of Persia. Nehemiah opens his story by telling us that he was in in the
palace at Shushan when one of his brethren, named Hanani, together with certain
men of Judah, came to him. Apparently, they had just returned from Jerusalem
and Nehemiah asked them about the condition that was in his homeland. When he
heard the sad state in his homeland, he was so deeply affected by the tidings
that he wept and mourned and prayed before God (Nehemiah 1:1-11).
What
are the lessons for us?
1.
BE CONCERNED. The first question Nehemiah asked his friends was: “How was
Jerusalem?” His thoughts had often reverted to the ancient home of his people.
Nehemiah
wasn’t called by God like Abraham or any of the prophets. There was no burning
bush or angelic visitation. Nehemiah didn’t need one! His concern for the
affairs of his people and Jerusalem was built-in; it was his character to be
concerned about the work of God.
Do
you care what is going on in the church? Many do not care. Paul wrote: For all
seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's” (Philippians
2:21). Many live for their own ease and for their families to care about the
works of the church. Our Lord wants us to be concerned about spiritual things:
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth
unto everlasting life,” (John 6:27).
2.
BE PRAYERFUL. Nehemiah was a man of prayers. The first thing that he did was to
pray (Nehemiah 1:4). He prayed before he answered the king (Nehemiah 2:4). Are
we prayerful people? “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and
cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17).
3.
BE INVOLVED. Nehemiah had a great many very good excuses why he shouldn’t be
involved in building the walls. He might have said: “Jerusalem is a long way
off. I have my own work to do; it is no part of my business to rebuild the
walls of Jerusalem; let others do it. I am the King’s cupbearer; I’m needed
here.” But he made none of those excuses; he took leave from the king and went.
It
is a sharp contrast how many today would give excuses that they are too busy.
It is difficult to find men and women who are fervent in spirit these days and
we thank God for the few that care about the work of the Lord to be involved. “Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord,” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
4.
BE CHRIST-LIKE. Nehemiah had godly character that endeared him to the
king and his people. Nehemiah was a captive in Babylon but he was also the
king’s cup bearer. Would you trust a prisoner of war with your life? But
Nehemiah gained the trust of a king. There must have been considerable merit in
him for the king to take a Hebrew captive and place him in such an office where
he was responsible for the wine which he drank.
He
led by example. How encouraging it must have been for the people to see this
high ranking official working so hard to rebuild the city. He was the governor
but he still got his hands dirty; it shows his humility even as a leader
(Nehemiah 4:21). Christ, the Son of God, came down and lived as a humble
servant (Philippians 2:5-9).
Let
us be like Nehemiah in his godly living and be abounding in the work of the
Lord. You are never too busy that you cannot find the time to be involved. If
you are concerned, you will get involve.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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