Nehemiah
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. …. 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.
Nehemiah 1:1,4
Read Nehemiah 1:1-6
In the opening words of the prophecy of Nehemiah we are privileged to see
what lived in his heart, as an encouragement for us to examine our own
hearts and be edified. Nehemiah was truly a man of God! The Lord was
pleased to use him in a critical situation, just after the release of His people
from captivity. Nehemiah had a beautiful name which means, God gives
comfort.
However, in these verses we are considering, we see how Nehemiah himself
also needed comfort. Nehemiah had been born during the time of captivity,
yet he was a true Israelite in heart and soul. He had attained to a prominent
position in the palace of Shushan, for the Persian king, Artaxerxes, had promoted
him to the position of being his personal cup bearer. That does not
mean that he was some kind of waiter or butler.
Nehemiah was one of the most important people among the circle of the
king’s attendants and advisors. He had not gained this key position through
personal ambition, to gain prominence, but the Lord had given him personal
qualities which made him very suitable for this crucial task. The Lord is able
and willing to place His people in important positions, also today, for the
edification of His people.
Thought: What considerations should Christians keep in mind when they
are looking for a career?
Psalter 403: 1 (based on Psalm 147)
Praise ye the Lord, for it is good, To sing unto our God;
‘Tis right and pleasant for His saints To tell His praise abroad.
The Lord our God builds up His Church, He seeks her wandering sons;
He binds their wounds and gently heals The broken hearted ones.
