Today I want to look at Nehemiah chapter 1 (Take five minutes and read the chapter). You might not know the context of what's going on in this book so before I get into this blog I might need to back up and explain what's happening. The book of Nehemiah occurred during the period of the Jews’ return from Babylonian captivity. When the Babylonians had captured Jerusalem and overthrown the nation of Judah, they took the Jews into captivity away from Palestine into Babylon But the Medes and Persians later overthrew the Babylonians and began a policy of allowing the Jews to return to Palestine. Upon the Jews release Nehemiah was challenged by God to rebuild the walls of there city and to get people back in right standing with God.
Nehemiah was the kind of person who cared. He cared about the traditions of the past and the needs of the present. He cared about the hopes for the future. He cared about his heritage, his ancestral city, and the glory of his God. He revealed this caring attitude in four different ways.
1. He cared enough to ask (Ne1:1-3): Some people prefer not to know what's going on, because information might bring obligation. In 1987 the slogan for the AIDS publicity campaign was "Don't die of ignorance." I think that slogan can be applied to many areas of life besides health. Mark Twain once wrote, "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." What we don't know could hurt us a great deal! Nehemiah asked about Jerusalem and the Jews living there because he had a caring heart. When you truly care about people you want the facts no matter how painful they may be. A famous writer Aldous Huxley once said, "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." Closing our eyes and ears to the truth could be the first step toward tragedy for ourselves as well as others. Are we like Nehemiah anxious to know the truth even about the worst situations? Is our interest born out of concern or just pointless curiosity? Are we the kind of people who care enough to ask? Do we want the facts, and do the facts burden us?
2. He cared enough to weep (Neh 1:4): Sometimes weeping is a sign of weakness; but with Nehemiah, it was a sign of strength, as it was with Jeremiah 9:1, Paul Acts 20:19, and the Lord Jesus Luke 19:41. Nehemiah willingly shared the burden that was crushing others. When God puts a burden on your heart don't try to escape it, you may miss the blessing he has planned for you. This book starts with great affliction but before it closes, there is great joy. Nehemiah spent several days fasting, weeping and praying. He knew that somebody had to do something to rescue Jerusalem, and he was willing to go. I want to challenge you with this are you willing to pray, fast and weep for your generation. I know even for me it's so easy to complain about our surroundings. But when was the last time you prayed, or fasted for your friends and family, or even wept on there behalf?? Something to think about. What burden has God placed on your heart?
3. He cared enough to pray (Neh. 1:5-10): I don't know if you know this but we pray to a great and awesome God who is worthy of our praise and worship!! If you are experiencing great affliction then you need the great power, great goodness, and great mercy of a great God!! Is the God you worship big enough to handle the challenges that you face??? Too often, we plan our projects and then ask God to bless them; but Nehemiah didn't make that mistake. he sat down and wept, knelt down and prayed, and then stood up and worked because he knew he had the blessing of the Lord on what he was doing.
4. He cared enough to volunteer (Neh 1:11): Nehemiah planned to volunteer, to rebuild the walls. He didn't pray for God to send somebody else nor did he argue that he wasn't properly equipped. He simply said hear am I send me!! Nehemiah would have to approach the king and ask if he could leave to rebuild the walls of his people. His life may have weighed in the balance. He was facing a test of faith but he knew that his God was a great God and would see him through. With Gods help he was able to rebuild the walls in 52 days. The walls were rebuilt the gates restored and the people were rejoicing! It started with a man who cared. Abraham cared and rescued Lot from Sodom. Moses cared and delivered Israelites from Egypt. David cared and brought the nation back unto the Lord. Esther cared and risked her life to save her nation from genocide. Paul cared and spread the gospel throughout the Roman empire. Jesus cared and died on the cross for a lost world. God is still looking for people who care, people like Nehemiah who cared enough to ask for the facts, weep over the needs, pray for God's help, and then volunteer to get the job done. HERE AM I SEND ME!!!!
