Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:1-20
Nehemiah served before the king, when king asked him he prayed to the the Lord in his heart and said to the king asked him "What is it you want?". "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 it.
Nehemiah went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days, he set out during the night with a few others. He had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
He said to them, Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious had of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."
Nehemiah's mission; the king consents
The sorry state of Jerusalem is a direct consequence of Artaxerxes' decree that building should cease. Nehemiah therefore takes his life in his hands in championing a city which has been represented to the king as a hot-bed of rebellion. Even by letting his grief show in the king's presence he places himself in grave dander. But Nehemiah's concern for his people outweighs self-interest. God answers his prayer, and Artaxerxes grants his request. Unlike Ezra, he sets out on his journey with a military escort.
On arrival in Jerusalem Nehemiah mentions his plans to no one until he has made a secret personal inspection of the city.
Why?
Nehemiah rely on the faith of the Lord and his concern for his people outweigh self-interest granted the grace from the Lord.
First step he did not said anything until he had his secret personal inspection of the city. First to know what the situation it is on his mission.
Next call out to others "Come let us rebuilding." No me, no you but is us.
All of these base on his prayer first and there were grace of the Lord with him.
Nehemiah did not care how the enemy mocked him and ridiculed them. Focus on the mission of the Lord.
How?
Pray first and survey the situation of mission, them call out "Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem"

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