the ruminations of aaron eberline

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. Read more

Do you realize how amazing and awesome God’s unfailing faithfulness and compassion are? I am humbled by His total faithfulness. In Nehemiah 9 and 10 the people of Israel have gathered together and in unison confessed their sin and renewed their desire to follow all of God’s commandments. Why do man’s passions and allegiances waiver so quickly? I am amazed that God remains faithful as we continually yo-yo away from Him. The legacy of mankind is one of inability and unfaithfulness that is thankfully delivered by God’s unfailing faithfulness. Read more

What grieves your heart so much that you weep, fast and pray for God’s intercession? Zerubbabel and Ezra led the first two groups of exiles back to Jerusalem. Thirteen years after Ezra returned to Jerusalem, leading a remnant to offer sacrifices to God, Nehemiah, a cup bearer to king Artaxerxes of Persia, hears word from Jerusalem that grieves his heart. The news from Jerusalem that the walls and gates are in ruin after over ninety years of exiles having returned to Jerusalem breaks the heart of Nehemiah. Why is Nehemiah so concerned about the state of the walls of Jerusalem? He is living in comfort as the cupbearer of the king of Persia. Wouldn’t life be easier if he just pushed aside the feelings and remorse? Have you ever quenched the Holy Spirit’s prompting in your life because you were afraid to step out in faith? Read more