Nehemiah was
getting the Jews to rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem. Their own
homes were being rebuilt as the Jews had just returned from
exile in Babylonia,but the walls and gates of Jerusalem were in ruins.
God challenged Nehemiah over this and he in turn challenged
the Jews, but met with opposition.
Nehemiah's handling of the situation over the selfishness
and greed of some of the Jewish leaders
and officials in Nehemiah
5:1-13 is an excellent example for christians
today.
Although he was angry (and justifiably
so) he took time to reflect on the problem, and them boldly challenged
the ones
doing wrong. He was able to do
this because his conscience
was clear and he honoured God...Neh
5:14-15.
Today
this still applies. If we have unconfessed sin in our
lives we have no right to correct
others.....Matt 7:3-5.
We need to follow his example and
speak out about issues
that are not pleasing to God.
In Neh 5:14-18
Nehemiah sets an excellent example of how christians should be living,
even today. He didn't bother about material
gains but got on with the work God had given him to
do. His door was open to anyone looking
for a meal. How many
of us are like this today?
Nehemiah,
in chapter 6:3
wasn't going to let anything
interrupt the Lord's work....do
we?
When he received an unsealed letter
in which everything stated was untrue, he boldly challenged the
sender, via the messenger, stating
that "...you have made it all up.."Neh 6:8
A group of men tried to frighten
and intimidate the Jews into stopping work - and what did Nehemiah do -
HE PRAYED - God Make Me Strong!
Today when Satan is trying to stop
us from doing the Lord's work we need to pray and ask for the protection
of the Lord and for the strength we need to continue with the work.
In him I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens
me.....Phil 4:13.
When
Nehemiah was told of a threat on his life and told to run
and hide, he resolutely stood his ground......Neh
6:10
Are we prepared to put on the armour
of God and stand in the
name of Jesus?
Nehemiah recognized the hand of
his enemy, even though they had used intermediaries.
Today we must be able to discern
who the message comes from - God or Satan. We must learn to know
the call of our Father, and test it against His word, so we are not deceived
and His will continues to be done. Nothing
God asks us to do is ever contrary to what is in
the bible....it is a good test if we are unsure of the messenger.