Nehemiah
chapter 2 reminds me of the way a spiritual life can be rebuilt.
Some people fall away from their upbringing, or have their faith
shattered by life’s circumstances. I am convinced that God desires
to restore these dear ones and he uses you and me to accomplish that
task. The chapter begins with Nehemiah’s
account of the conversation that changed his world. As cupbearer to
the king of Persia, he lived in safety and comfort. He had regular
interaction with the king and was probably a trusted advisor. After
learning of the dire conditions his brothers in Jerusalem were
enduring, he knew he must act. He had prayed for months for an
opportunity to seek help from the king. It is interesting to note
the Lord was preparing the kings heart during that time. He says,
“I took the wine and gave it to the
king… the king asked me, ‘Why does your face look so sad when you
are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart’.”
Clearly they had a close relationship, but no one wanted to bring
the king bad news because he was likely to shoot the messenger!
Nehemiah continues, “I was very
much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever!
Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are
buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
The king reacted openness, “What
is it you want?” Nehemiah
continued to rely on God. “Then I
prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king“.
Nehemiah’s request was clear and direct, “If
your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the
city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it“.
Perhaps there is an uncomfortable conversation you need to have?
Notice Nehemiah did not hint, nag, or water down his words.
The
king asked, “How long will your
journey take, and when will you get back?“.
After the king agreed, Nehemiah did not stop asking! “If
it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors … they
will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah… a letter to
Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make
beams for the gates … and for the residence I will occupy?”
Nehemiah recognized God was working through the situation, “And
because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my
requests… The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with
me“. No matter how godly our
actions might be, there will always be people trying to plant doubt.
“When Sanballat the Horonite and
Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much
disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the
Israelites“. These guys did not
want Jerusalem rebuilt and they were masters of discouragement. When
someone is in the midst of a spiritual revival, they will be faced
with temptations and distractions. Satan hates to see people
restored.
After
a midnight inspection of the walls and gates, Nehemiah saw for
himself the size of the task. Most people do not have their faith
restored by a distant evangelist; they experience the loving
compassion of God meeting their needs up close. Nehemiah spoke to the
people of Jerusalem about their unique situation. “Jerusalem
lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace“.
But he also gave them hope! “I
also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the
king had said to me“. God desires
us to bring hope to the hopeless. The citizens of Jerusalem
replied, “Let us start
rebuilding“. The chapter ends
with another attack from the scoffers, “they
mocked and ridiculed us“. They
asked, “What is this you are
doing?“. This time Nehemiah
responded, “The God of heaven
will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as
for you, you have no share in Jerusalem“.
We are not alone in our battle. Jesus gave us this promise, “For
where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in
the midst of them” (Matthew
18:20). There is nothing God cannot restore.