Nehemiah 1:1-4 The Autobiography of Nehemiah, the son of Hecaliah: In December of the Twentieth year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, when I was at the palace of Shushan, one of my fellow Jews named Hanani came to visit me with some men who had arrived from Judah. I took the opportunity to inquire about how things were going in Jerusalem. “How are they getting along?” I asked. “—the Jews who returned to Jerusalem from their exile here?” “Well,” they replied, “things are not good; the wall of Jerusalem is still torn down, and the gates are burned.” When I heard this, I sat down and cried. In fact, I refused to eat for several days, for I spent the time in prayer to the GOD of heaven.
[Living Bible translation]
Summary
Throughout the Bible, there are a number of examples of GOD dealing with cities (like Sodom, Gomorrah, and Jericho), with nations (such as the nation of Israel, Ancient Egypt, the Babylonian Empire) and with individuals (for example, Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul). Sometimes GOD uses a single individual to make a difference in the history of a great nation, such as when GOD used Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt or when David became king of Israel. The book of Nehemiah is an autobiographical account of how one person, a simple cupbearer, prayed that GOD would allow him to rebuild the walls of a broken nation and how GOD answered that prayer. One person was willing to leave a comfortable palace in order to lay a few bricks in order to rebuild and restore the spiritual health of a nation.
ACTS OF RE-BUILDING
Like Nehemiah, each one of us can make a difference. Each one of us can set an example. Each one of us can provide some of the sweat and “mortar” necessary to restore and re-build the spiritual health of our nation.
Like Nehemiah, we need to protect children and families in crisis. For example, Nehemiah stopped family separation and the selling of children into slavery because families were unable to pay their debt to the rich. Nehemiah convinced the rich to restore the property they had taken to the poor and assist the poor, instead of profiteering on them. (See, Nehemiah, Ch.5)
Like Nehemiah, we can try to be an example by feeding others. For example, instead of acting like the former governors and their aides before him, Nehemiah did not demand a lavish food and wine daily allowance or ask for an additional $100 a day in cash, but instead, Nehemiah fed 150 officials and visitors from other countries at his own table. Nehemiah’s was a frugal diet because he did not want to insist on a food allotment for himself from the people when the people were already heavily burdened. (See, Nehemiah, Ch.5, Living Bible Translation)
Like Nehemiah, we can try to protect one another from harm. Nehemiah, assembled all the people, so they would be of one mind when they entered into a covenant with each other and GOD. He wanted every single person to, in essence, “be on the same page” so there would be no excuses for anyone not doing his/her part.
The CDC (the Center for Disease Control and Prevention), for example, is trying to get everyone “on the same page” with regard to COVID 19. The CDC has stated:
As of October 25, 2020, COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country. Average daily cases in the last 7 days increased 26% from the previous 7 days. This 7-day average is 4% higher than the previous peak 7-day average that the United States reached in July. COVID-19 cases continue to vary across age groups. People ages 18-24 remain the age group with the highest incidence of COVID-19.
See, https://www.cdc.gov/
The CDC encourages everyone to do their part in slowing the spread of the disease and to protect one another. Specifically, the CDC wants everyone to practice these healthy habits:
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Stay 6 feet from others.
See, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/
The Bible exhorts us to:
Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman [workerwoman/worker] that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.
This too is a national priority. GOD will one day examine all our work. We are all in this together!
IT’s NEVER TOO LATE
Tomorrow and over the weeks and months ahead, pray about how you can help rebuild our nation. Ask GOD. Pray for direction. Pray GOD restore the physical and spiritual health of the nation and that we all do our part.
Remember, it is never too late to pray and rebuild! All we need do is lay one brick---day after day, week after week.
Pray, Re-build, and BE BLESSED!
