SEEDS

Rebuild your wall

Jerusalem has been destroyed by the Babylonians, the city wall lay in ruins. Some of the Jewish people were in exile in Babylon, only farmers were left. Nehemiah was a Jewish man, who served in the privileged position as cupbearer to the king Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah was visited by his brother and others from his home country of Judah.

Nehemiah learns that the people in Jerusalem were in trouble and the walls of Jerusalem were destroyed. He wept and mourned for many days, fasting and praying to God, he confesses his sins and the sins of his people and asks for the Lord’s mercy.

God enables him to find favor from the king (Nehemiah 2:8). Who allows him to return and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. He calls up the Jewish people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and explains to them how God’s hand was on this work.

When the enemies mocked Nehemiah and the builders of the wall, they were not intimidated and the work continued, with prayers and wisdom. They set families to guard their work. He also encouraged the people not to be afraid of the enemies. Altogether they finish rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days because of God’s hand was upon their work.

Points of Reflection:

1. Nehemiah earned the king’s credibility. As a child of God, it is important to have credibility with people in authority, i.e. parents, teachers, supervisors, and pastors.

2. Nehemiah fasted and prayed to God and asked for God’s mercy prior to taking action. In order to rebuild, we need preparation in the presence of God.

3. Nehemiah’s testimony was not only rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem but also rebuilding the lives of people.

4. He did not claim glory for himself but always gave God the credit for his successes.

5. When Nehemiah faced opposition from his enemies, he did not give up his trust in God. We may decide to rebuild something in our lives such as our relationship with God or our family/friends. We need to remember that the enemy tries to stop the rebuilding process by various means. We need to remain focused on God and not give up.

Prayer Focus:

Dear loving Heavenly Father, Please, help me to be faithful and humble before you. Lord, give me the courage and strength to rebuild the things that you want me to rebuild in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. [Deut. 4:29-30.]

Had a chance to post today. God bless each of you.
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Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

The Scripture places the responsibility of harmony with our neighbor upon our shoulders. As we look at the fractured relationships in our lives, have we made every effort to live in peace? There are some things that we may avoid simply because they are uncomfortable, but God uses the uncomfortable to bring His holiness into our lives. Are you experiencing dullness in your relationship with God? Check your earthly relationships to make sure you are doing all that you can, for the two issues may be connected.

Hey folks. I'm at the Dr today so I thouht id get out a verse and Commentary for you. Love and miss sharing with you all. May God bless and keep you!

Romans 8:31-34 (NIV)
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Think about this: you are so valuable to God that He sent His own Son to pay the price for your sins. You are VERY special to God! We all face internal and external voices that speak negatively of our worth, but God made the final statement in Christ. Do you feel guilty? God comes to your aid. Jesus took the wrath of God so we could have His favor. He is standing the gap for us today! God wants us to know this and live in the truth of it.