You can tell a lot about a person by what makes him laugh or cry. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I’m enamored with Nehemiah. As an official in the Persian government, Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to the king. While the role of cupbearer doesn’t sound impressive, it was a position of great honor and influence. In modern day terms, being a cupbearer would be similar to serving as a “chief of staff.”
In the first chapter of Nehemiah, his responsibilities had taken him to the capitol city of Susa, where he ran into some men from Judah. Nehemiah asked about the Jews who had survived the Babylonian exile, and he inquired about the circumstances in Jerusalem since the exiles had returned.
There’s an old saying that claims, “Ignorance is bliss.” But the Scripture suggests that Nehemiah was a man of character and genuinely cared enough to ask about the well being of the remnant Jews and the city of Jerusalem.
The men responded by telling Nehemiah, “The remnant there in the province who survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3)
The trouble with the truth is it sometimes breaks our heart. Jerusalem was in shambles and remained vulnerable without a wall. While it once had been a city with great glory, it was now a reproach. Nehemiah 1:4-5 says, “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”
When confronted with a heartbreaking reality, Nehemiah made a decision to fast and pray. As Nehemiah addressed God in prayer, he uttered a fascinating and game changing truth. Nehemiah called upon the “great and awesome God who keeps covenant.” (Nehemiah 1:5)
God had made a covenant with the people of Israel, promising to bless them richly if they were obedient to His Word, but warned of discipline if they disobeyed. (Deut 27-30). Notably, the remaining portion of Nehemiah’s prayer was devoted to the confession of sin. God had promised forgiveness if His people repented and turned back to Him, and Nehemiah was claiming that promise for himself and the nation.
After an intense time of grief, prayer, and fasting, the tide begins to turn in Nehemiah’s favor. Nehemiah approached the king about his burden for Jerusalem and is granted permission to go rebuild the wall. After arriving in Jerusalem and going out to inspect the damage Nehemiah 1:11 says, “And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.”
It’s tempting to read this text and get so caught up in Nehemiah’s admirable character that we miss the point. The book of Nehemiah shouts from the rooftops that God is faithful to keep His promises. It was God who moved Nehemiah to act on behalf of the Jews and it was God who made it possible. As Nehemiah moved forward with rebuilding, he encountered opposition and was subjected to risky work that called for courage. But through God’s provision, the work moved forward despite setbacks, delays, and opposition.
All of us will face circumstances that break our hearts. We will encounter situations that are not as they should be. How we respond will have a profound impact on the outcome. Will we throw our hands up in defeat and accept the status quo? Or will we lift our hands in prayer and raise our voice to the God who keeps His promises?
