Does God answer prayer? What is true leadership? Is God faithful to fulfill His promises? These are the questions that are answered in the book of Nehemiah? The setting found in the post exilic time for Israel as different groups of refugees escape from Babylon and return home to Israel to the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the cup bearer for king Artaxerxes of Persia, leads one of these groups back.
Have you ever been moved to pray fervently for God’s help and deliverance? Nehemiah hears of the ruined wall and gates of Jerusalem and his spirit becomes downcast. He prays that God would help His people, Israel. When you pray to God do you actually believe that He exists, He hears you and that He is faithful? Did Nehemiah think that God would use him to answer his prayer? Was Nehemiah surprised when Artaxerxes showed concern for his servant? In the moment when some would have been fearful to speak up to the king Nehemiah trusted that God was working in his midst.
When we are moved to pray what causes the desire to pray? Is it the Holy Spirit within us? Do we feel helpless and need to share our feelings with God? In Nehemiah we see that out of greif and sorrow a leader was raised from Persia to rebuild the walls and faith of the people. As the wall was rebuilt the people of Israel returned to following God and keeping His commandments. It took the exile in Babylon to soften the hearts of the people of Israel. When the people heart what was written in the book of the law of Moses they knew who they were because they knew who God was and what He desired from them. Was it a long process to turn back to God wholeheartedly? When we are removed from the many things that vie for our attention we will ultimately find ourselves seeking out God. How much did the leadership of Israel effect the people’s desire to follow God? Is your heart hardened? What will it take to soften your heart?
God’s faithfulness is woven throughout Nehemiah as He supplies abundantly from Persia all that was required to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. When persecution falls upon the workers and leaders in Jerusalem God gives them the courage and strength to continue. So often we get so overwhelmed by life that we forget that there is a faithful God we can run to for help or just to talk to. When was the last time you talked with God?
