Nehemiah
– The Man Who Got Involved
Scripture
Text: Nehemiah
1: 1-10
To
be or not to be involved
I
heard a loud bang, the screening sound of brakes from a bus and
saw a white car spinning several times at a traffic junction before
it rammed into a traffic light post, stopping just inches away from
my car. And it was not a scene from a Hollywood movie… All
other drivers were stunned and for several seconds, no one did anything
or knew what to do.
It
is pretty similar when people are in a crowd, when a crisis or a
critical situation takes place; no one is willing to step forward
to help. It is only human to take cover, sit on the sidelines, or
worse, walk away to avoid any involvement, responsibility or embarrassment.
However,
as God’s children, can we allow such behaviour to assimilate
into the life of the church? The Bible exhorts in Luke 12:47,
“That servant who knows the Master’s will and does not
get ready or does not do what His Master wants, will be beaten with
many blows.”
We
see from Scripture that Nehemiah was different. Although he held
a high position and led an affluent and comfortable lifestyle, he
became highly distressed and wept at the news that the Holy City,
Jerusalem, was in ruins. When he heard about the devastation of
Jerusalem, he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed and decided to get
involved in the rebuilding of the city.
Preparation
for the big task
Nehemiah
knew the importance of spiritual preparation and spent much time
in prayer. In 13 chapters, Nehemiah prayed no less than 11 times
to the Lord.
a)
Worship (v.5) – He fixed his attention on
the greatness of God. When we see God’s greatness, our problems
‘shrink’ in comparison.
b)
Confession (v. 6-7) – Aware of the sins of
the people that prevented God from acting on their behalf, Nehemiah
pleaded with God for His forgiveness on the nation, himself and
the family.
c)
Petition (v. 8-11) – Nehemiah effectively
based his prayer on the promises of God and as he appealed to God,
he reminded Him of the covenant made to Moses, “Remember the
instructions You gave Your servant, Moses....”
It
goes to show when we shower God’s work in prayer, we will
find God’s answers and power to do His work.
Be
involved
My
husband and I stepped out of our car and helped the driver of the
white car. We called the police and ambulance. As a result, a number
of other people came forward to help and stay with the injured driver.
It only took one step from our part for others to come out to render
help and get involved. Will you do your part today?
Prayer
response
Dear
God, I know that you are not asking for my ability
but for my availability. I know that You, a burdened
God is at work in the world, searching for burdened believers through
whom you may work. Lord, I want to be that extraordinary person
for You. Like Nehemiah, help me realise that through prayer, finite
man draws upon the power of the infinite God. Amen
-
Devotional based on sermon by Rev Vincent Goh