Effective Christian Living - Nehemiah
1 - Chapter 1
Nehemiah was a great man of God and his life reveals to us all the ingredients for living effectively for the Lord. In these studies we will discover that we need to make a mark for Christ where we live, just as Nehemiah did.
Nehemiah was the son of Hachaliah. The nation of Israel to which he belonged had been in captivity in Babylon for seventy years, but now things had changed. The Persians had defeated the Babylonians and the Persian King Cyrus had allowed them to return to their homeland. The Jews returned in stages. The first return was led by Zerubbabel in 538 B.C., the second was led by Ezra in 457 B.C., and the third led by Nehemiah in 444 B.C.
Before his return to Jerusalem Nehemiah was employed in the service of King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was based in Shushan, Persia, which was the royal palace and winter residence of the Persian Kings. He tells us his employment in chapter 1 verse 11, where he says, "I was cup-bearer to the king." This was a position of trust, honour and influence. Nehemiah was in the right place at the right time. In His providence God had placed him there so that he would be in the best position to serve Him and to be used in His purposes.
You are not where you are by accident. The scripture tells us in Proverbs 16 verse 9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps". God has put you where you are for you to serve Him and witness for Him to those around you. God wants you to shine for Him in your village or town, and amongst your relatives, neighbours and friends. The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 5 verse 16 "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven".
Nehemiah's effectiveness lay in the great concern he had for seeing the city of Jerusalem flourish. He was concerned about the people of God. Nehemiah 1 verse 3 tells us they were in "great trouble and disgrace". Those who had already returned to Jerusalem faced opposition and had become cast down. Nehemiah was concerned for their happiness and well-being. We too must have a loving concern for fellow believers. This will produce a strong church creating a real impact upon the world.
Nehemiah was concerned about the work of God. In chapter 1 verse 2 he is told that, "the wall of Jerusalem is also broken down". This was how the wall was left when the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar took the Jews captive some seventy years before. The city of God was in disrepair and in a bad condition. Nehemiah's concern forced him to take action and do something about it.
Effective Christians are those who have a zeal for the house of God. The wall of prayer may be broken down. You will be determined to encourage its restoration. The wall of devotion and service for Christ may be in a weak condition. You will be burdened to see it built up again. Be watchful and prayerful over your own life and the lives of others. Whenever you see decline be ready to do something about it through prayer, encouragement and action.
Nehemiah's response is a worthy one and it reveals the key to experiencing the Lord's blessing which brings good success in Christian living and in the work of God. In verse 4 he says, "I sat down and wept". This is the way to blessing and restoration when the work of God is in decline. When was the last time we wept over the lost condition of sinners and weaknesses of the Church? Jeremiah is known as the weeping Prophet. He broke his heart over the sins of the nation of Israel. In Jeremiah 9 verse 1 he says that his eyes were like a "fountain of tears". Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We read in Luke 19 verse 41, "As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city He wept over it". This was because of their rejection of His love toward them. God will not ignore a broken and contrite heart. Do we shed tears because of the immensity of the burden on our hearts for God's work and its success? Nehemiah tells us that "for some days I mourned". Effectiveness is borne out of us telling deeply the need around us. Our grief will move us to reach out to those in need and to minister to them.
In the same verse Nehemiah says he "Fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven". Our effectiveness personally and as a church is determined by our prayer life. There is always the danger of assuming that we need new novelties to get the blessing of God. There is a seminar or conference for just about everything in Christian work. That is all right in its place, but nothing is as effective as believers who are committed to seeking God's face.
The way we pray is important too. Nehemiah shows us the type of prayer that is effective with God. There is recognition of the greatness of God. Nehemiah addresses God in verse 5 as "The great and awesome God". We must remember our place before His almightiness. We come to one who is indeed our Heavenly Father, but He is also the King of kings. There is a real humility as he pleads with the Lord to hear. In verse 6 he says, "let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant is praying". We are servants of the Lord. He is our Master. We submit our wills to His and humbly depend upon Him.
We find confession of sin as he approaches God. In verse 6 he says, "We have acted very wickedly toward you". We cannot begin to be effective as believers if we have unconfessed sin in our lives. David realised this when he said in Psalm 66 verse 18, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."
In verses 8 and 9 Nehemiah uses scripture and reminds God of His promises,
"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses". God will honour His own word and cannot deny it. It is good to employ the Bible in our conversation with the Lord. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 1 verse 20, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ."
Nehemiah reminds God of the redeemed position of His people in verse 10 of this chapter, "They are your servants and your people whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand". We belong to God. He listens and takes note of our requests. Israel experienced this in Egypt. We read in Exodus 2 verse 24, "God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant".
There was a definite request made by Nehemiah in verse 10, "Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man".
Never be fearful in approaching God and making your requests known. Whatever your need, state it before your heavenly Father. Paul teaches us in Philippians 4 verse 6, "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God". Because of these things Nehemiah experienced God's blessing and saw the work of God prosper.