Nehemiah 6:15, 16 “So the wall was finished……..And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.”
Dear God,
Within the sacred writings, I find instruction, information and life for my soul. The recorded happenings of so long ago, give me spiritual food to feed on and assimilate, to be brought back to my mind as needed. I can see that You have always given people a chance to choose to follow Your way. People were never left to their own devices, without first being given a chance to do a U-turn and return to You and Your ways. Therefore I have confidence that we (I) will not be abandoned by You in our present situations; especially when we endeavour to do Your bidding, or are in any situation that is in keeping with Your guidelines for living.
Nehemiah, the man I have contemplated today was obviously not perfect, as was the case for King David and all others in the Bible record: which in turn should make us feel ‘right at home.’ But Nehemiah showed that he did love, trust and obey, with a brave and true heart; which is what You want from us today.
In the account given in Chapter 4, I find Nehemiah was not deterred from working on the city wall, despite the real threats to the safety for himself and every other fellow worker. Working effectively as the ‘foreman’ he ordered the other workers to protect themselves physically the best they could, and then by relying on faith in You to proceed on. Nehemiah 4: 20”Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
This man of Yours, was not afraid to take the initiative against wrong doing, and rebuked the rich Jews because they had been oppressing their poorer brothers to such a degree that all their property and means had been taken. He arranged for all to be restored, without reserve to these poorer ‘brothers’.
In Your strength he had stood for right and justice and in Your strength prevailed. Even after four (red herring) invitations, he would not leave his work, to go answer the invitation of his enemies. From previous experience he would not give any obstructionist, a chance to destroy or disrupt the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall, for he knew it was Your project he undertook. Neither would this courageous and upright man, use his position to gain property or money for himself. He was an example to the men he worked with, and all who looked on from the surrounding country side; and down through history.
As Your child, I desire to live my life for You, no less fervently or productively, than faithful and industrious Nehemiah. With You God, as my model and source of strength I pray that I individually will be all that You know I could be with You at the lead.
Amen