SCRIPTURE: NEHEMIAH 2
ARTAXERXES SENDS NEHEMIAH TO JERUSALEM (vs. 1-10)
While Nehemiah was serving wine to King Artaxerxes, the king noticed his sad face and asked him: Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” (v. 2). Then Nehemiah 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 asked Nehemiah what he wanted. Nehemiah prayed to God and replied: “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 fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it” (vs. 4-5). The the king asked him: How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” (v. 6). So Nehemiah set a time and requested a letter from the king addressed to the governors of Trans-Euphrates to provide him safe conduct until he arrived in Jerusalem. He also requested a letter addressed to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest to give him timber for making beams of the gates, for the temple, for the city wall and for his residence. Through the gracious hand of the Lord, the king granted his requests. So, Nehemiah went to the governor of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letter. The king also sent army officers and cavalry with him.
NEHEMIAH INSPECTS JERUSALEM’S WALL (vs. 11-20)
Upon arrival at Jerusalem, Nehemiah stayed there for 3 days. He set out the the night with a few men. He examined the walls from the Valley gate to Dung gate, then from the Fountain gate and the king’s Pool. Next, he went up the valley by night to examine the wall. Then he turned back and re-entered through the Valley gate.
Then Nehemiah said to the people: “Come, let us rebuild wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace. The people agreed to start the work of building the gate.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed them. They asked: “Are you rebelling against the king?” Nehemiah answered: 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” (v. 26)
THOUGHTS:
Before taking his burdens to king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah went to the throne of grace in prayer. The king noticed his sorrowful face and he told the king all his heart. When he got a positive response from the king, Nehemiah worked out his plan. He set a schedule, list the materials needed to do all the work. When you have burdens, the first thing to do is to come to the presence of God and tell Him about your problem. Then, when you have needs, do not be afraid to approach people and ask for help. God’s answer to your prayer may come as a result of our asking from others.
It took three months for Nehemiah to arrive at the city and he waited for 3 days before taking any steps. He carefully investigated the situation at night by himself and assessed the damage of the walls. Then he presented a realistic strategy. If you have to do a project, follow Nehemiah’s example and plan ahead. Check your information and make your ideas realistic so that you will be able to present your plan with confidence.
Nehemiah challenged the leaders of the remnants to work with him in repairing the walls. He showed them the need, outlined the task and assured them of God’s blessings. Even if there was opposition, Nehemiah knew that God’s strong hand was upon him and his work.
Nehemiah kept his mission a secret and surveyed the walls at night to avoid unhealthy gossip and to prevent the enemies from being alerted to his plan. A premature announcement will cause rivalry among the Jews and give the enemies opportunity to frustrate their plan.
Nehemiah had a vision and he showed it to the inspiring Jerusalem leaders with enthusiasm to rebuild the walls. When God plants an idea in your mind to accomplish something to him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit to work on their thoughts. Put teamwork into action to turn your vision into reality in accomplishing God’s goals.