"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one"( Ezekiel 22:30).
The Bible is famous for a rich cast of heroic characters. Although all lived at a different time and place, and from another culture, except for Jews, they offer to us many inspiring lessons how to live. Like if we take the case of Nehemiah. He was one man moved with a mission to execute a project of a noble nature against all odds.
The first thing we notice is he had a burden and after repenting, cried to the Lord, reminding Him of His promises to Moses: "but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name" ( Nehemiah 1:9). All of us God has put a burden on our hearts- for some it is to witness in the market place, support missions, or, maybe start a Christian school. What is the burden God has placed on your heart!
What distinguishes Nehemiah was that he was not just a dreamer. He was a man of action. For once he had settled it in his mind that the wall of Jerusalem had to be rebuilt, he approached the king: "The king said to me, “What is it you want? "Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild"( Nehemiah 2:4-5).
Many people can have good visions only to allow them waste away without taking any action. There are waiting for the perfect time and enough resources - whatever that means!
Once he started to rebuild the wall Nehemiah faced incredible opposition; for "when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble ( Nehemiah 4: 7-8). But in spite of all the arrows thrown at him, Nehemiah steeled through and got the job done. Are you being opposed for heeding the call of God on your life? Is someone all bent to frustrate you. Recall even Jesus was opposed yet he got the mission done.
Finally, once the wall was rebuilt, Nehemiah gave thanks to God. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength"* ( Nehemiah 8:10). Now, haven't you come across cases of those whom God enabled but in their victory lap, claimed it was all of their doing! How then do you see God blessing you more.
Of course there are many other equally inspiring characters and it is hard to make a pick. But here is one man of God who could speak to you and motivate any of us today!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what an inspiring way to live as you enabled Nehemiah, and may I learn to trust in you for victory, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
