|
Yes We Heard, But What Did We Do?
by Rev. Moses K. Ndereva,
Pastor – Lifeline Community Fellowship
Nehemiah 1:1-4
1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 2:2-5
2 so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."
I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
4 The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."
2 Corinthians 7:5-6
5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
Introduction
Every sunset is hope for a new sunrise; but the devil would like to convince us that when we are knocked down we are out, or that when we go through fire, we are consumed. The devil is a failure strategist and will not recall or understand the language of victory. No wonder he never left Jesus alone after the wilderness defeat. He would like us to forget that Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego walked through the fire and never even smelt fire!
From the account of Nehemiah, we are convinced that broken down walls burnt to ashes can be rebuilt! We must know that “great trouble and disgrace” is not our prison forever! We can rebuild, arise from ashes and disgrace and regain our heritage in God!
However, it matters very much what we do with what we hear. Bad news and desolation must not become a reason for resentment and resignation but a reason for repentance, reinvigoration, and restoration. No prayerful intervention has failed with God so far unless such prayer harbors selfish motives, lack of faith or initiative.
Lessons from the text:
Why ask if you are not going to act?
It is no use asking, enquiring or questioning if we are not acting. Sometimes we listen to other people’s anguish only to leave them without answers to their pain and distress. Nehemiah questioned, listened and moved both emotionally and realistically. Yes he heard it all, it pained him, he wept; but he also fasted, prayed and entreated the king on behalf of Israel, starting from his position as a cup bearer. The reason we know he was touched by the sad story is that he followed up with relevant actions to address the situation. It is not enough to listen and weep! Yes tears and groaning are good, but they only raise expectations. It is only true compassion that moves us to act with the hope of making a difference.
What are we doing in the positions God has placed us?
Nehemiah was an exile like everyone else but he made a noble move to address what he heard. As a cup bearer, he had access to the king. After hearing the bad news and giving himself to prayer and intercession, he purposed to seek favor with the king while in his duty. He did not riot or allow the bad news to grind him down. He made use of his position to change the circumstances for his people. What favors are accessible to you that you can use for the good of your brothers?
What really affects you?
Upon hearing the great trouble and disgrace his people were living in, in Jerusalem, Nehemiah was visibly sad in face and heart. What truly affects you? What makes you laugh, angry or weep? Are we truly touched by the plight of our brethren? How concerned are we about the news that we receive daily or enquiries that we make? Do we just sulk, sink and sit or do we genuinely show compassion? Does the well being of others affect our countenance and our hearts? It is possible to show a sad face while the heart is far from any feelings. Christians ought to be the same inside and outside.
Supposing the king asked you; “what do you want”?
Interestingly, most people move and act to solve problems in society, but their motivation is different. They have a personal agenda that rides on the pain and plight of others. They use the magnitude of the case at hand to highlight and sensitize the community for resources that they know full well they will be diverting for personal gain. It was not so with Nehemiah.
When the king asked the question, Nehemiah only answered after praying to God. His answer was that he may survey the problem and rebuild the wall. The king obliged. Well, today we see different ministries, churches, orphanages, non-profit organizations and other solicitations that never quite address the problems for which they were formed. As soon as resources are gathered, people suddenly become too executive and important for the tasks they set out to do. As a Church, Lifeline should never lose sight of the vision and objective for which it was founded. Nothing is as evil as taking the pain of another and using it for a joy ride to pleasure! God is willing to give us the compassionate spirit of Nehemiah if we are ready to sacrifice our selfishness and greed on the altar love and compassion. Godly sorrow in us must precipitate into acts of mercy and kindness for relieve of anguish suffered by others.
Why did you hear what you heard?
There is a divine reason for every contact or information we come across. Good news should give rise to praise and glory to God while bad news triggers repentance and intercession. The prayer of a repentant humble heart will always attract favor from God starting where we are. Nehemiah did not listen, weep or act in vain. His prayer availed for him.
The point is; what did you or are you doing with what you have heard? Some people end up stopping at flashing headlines, complaining, agitating and inciting others and never praying or interceding for those affected. This is wrong! As Christians, we hear so that we can put our faith into action and act accordingly. Nehemiah said; “I can rebuild”.
Are we too discouraged by the desolation and despair we face that even when the King of king asks what we want, we are unable to speak out and lay claim on God’s promises? Are we so discouraged that all we do is weep and sport a sad face? It must not be so with us!
Conclusion
What comfort have you brought to us?
Paul clearly says that Titus brought comfort to brethren when they had no rest, harassed on every turn, with conflicts on the outside and fears on the inside. But the God of comfort sent Titus to comfort the downcast. Will you let someone know that the setting sun will rise again! Let people know that the King has released favor on them; that the broken-down walls and burnt gates will be rebuilt; that Titus is bearing news of hope despite the opposition! Most certainly, what the fire has razed down will be regenerated. It is not the effort or cooperation of those that are broken down but the favor of God that will make the difference. We must announce to the captive, the brokenhearted, the sick, the lame, the blind, the destitute and the downcast that the year of the Lord’s favor is here. We will rise up and rebuild. Our days of hopelessness, despair and disgrace are ending. The sun of righteousness has risen on us. The old has passed and the new has come. God is in the business of restoration. We need Nehemiah and Titus to rise up in our midst. Barnabas must encourage the fainthearted.
Isaiah 35:3
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 54:2
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Remember
There is no room for despair and despondency. Stand up for the good of your brethren and God will shower you with favor. Arise and rebuild! What you heard was a divine connection; act on what you heard prayerfully and fear not. Strengthen your hands, steady your knees and stand. Have a sign in your life that reads; “Restoration is in progress”.
|
