Surrendered Life
Making a difference by a surrendered life to God
Nehemiah 1:1-9,2:11-20,4:6,19-23,cf: Jeremiah 25:1-10,Daniel 9:1-2,Esra 1:1-4.
"The world has yet to see what God can do, with one man wholly committed to Him. Henry Varley to D L Moody and others, Spring 1867 at Bristol, UK." (Faith Coxe Bailey)
This Bible Study on the above mentioned chapters and verses refers to God's warning to the tribe of Judah, their lack of response to His messages by the Prophets, the consequences they experienced, but by His grace, their restoration to be a testimony for Him. In Jeremiah 25.1-10 we read that God raised up Prophets who gave instructions and warnings to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for 23 years, because of their failure to respond, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon to come and took them as captives to Babylon for 70 long years. But when Nebuchadnezzar's heart was lifted up and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Daniel 5:20, Belshazzar his son then reigned in his stead, Belshazzar who did not humble his heart, but lifted up himself against the Lord of heaven, was then slain, Daniel 5: 22-23, 30. This brought to an end the Babylonian Empire, (1st. World Empire) leading to the establishment of the Medo-Persian Empire, (2nd World Empire) under the leadership of Cyrus king of Persia and Darius king of Medes .
In Ezra chapter 1, we read that Cyrus king of Persia in the first year of his reign made a proclamation that the Jews in Captivity can now go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Under the leadership of Esra ,with assistance of Cyrus the king, they returned, builded the temple and established worship. About 14 years after Nehemiah came up with a company and builded the walls around the city, but how was it built? Nehemiah Chapters 1,2, 3 and 4 will let us know.
1-The coming of Hannani: Neh. 1;1-3
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hackaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace. That Hanani, one of my brethren came, he and certain men of Judah: and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me . the remnant that are left of the captivity that are in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
2- The Concern of Nehemiah. 1: 4
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down, and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. Notice his action after hearing of the condition. He wept, He mourned, He fasted, He prayed.
3- The confession of Nehemiah 1:5-7.
He associated himself with the sins of the people, he acknowledged their transgressions which brought them to the present situation.
4- The Comfort of Nehemiah 1: 8-9
Nehemiah saw not only their sins, but their acceptance by God if they return unto Him. He will gather them.
5- The Viewing of Nehemiah Chapter 2: 11-16
"So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days.. And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me. And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire."
Nehemiah went quietly- A private meditation, no loud noise, no alarm as to what he will do. A complete assessment of the situation .
6- The Vision of Nehemiah. Chapter 2: 17-18
"Then I said unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire:. Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach " Nehemiah reflected on the past, contemplated on the present, and anticipated as to what the future can be, he called unto the people to build.
"COME, AND LET US BUILD UP THE WALL OF JERUSALEM, THAT WE BE NO MORE A REPROACH. THE RESPONSE BY THE PEOPLE: LET US RISE UP AND BUILD, SO THEY STRENGTHENED THEIR HANDS FOR THE WORK"
7- The Victory by Nehemiah-chapter 4:6,10-23 So we build the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: For the people had a mind to work..
APPLICATION.
This study present to us a picture of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ today and a need for a Heart-Cry for Revival;(1) Nehemiah had knowledge on the condition of Jerusalem. Do we fully know of the condition of our churches today? Do we make inquiry so that we can know how to pray? (2) When Nehemiah learned of the condition, what was his reaction?. He wept, he mourned, he fasted, he prayed. As we know of our local churches or when we learn of other churches how some Christians are careless, have a lack of motivation to witness for Christ, and have little interest for attending the weekly Prayer Meetings and Bible studies, while people are dying in their sins and going to a lost eternity. What is our reactions? Do we weep ,mourn, fast and pray? Do we have a heart-cry for a revival in our day?.(3) Nehemiah gave encouragement on the grace of God." Chap. 1: 8-9 "If ye transgress I will scatter you, If ye turn unto me I will gather you", There is no Individual Christian or Church that God cannot and will not revive. (4) Nehemiah Made a call. Come let us build. Chap. 2:17 The people said Let us rise up and build.. 2.18 .With this bible study we are saying to you: Come Let Us Build. Could you say Let us rise up and build? (5) Whereas Nehemiah and the people experienced great opposition Chap. 4-5 the work was completed in 52 days. Chapter. 6: 15-16. The Temple was built and completed in 7 years Esra. 6:15. The song writer said:
"Its not an easy road we are traveling to heaven,
For many are the thorns on the way,
Its not an easy road, but the Saviour is with me,
His presence give me joy everyday".