NEHEMIAH
Study by Joanie Buchanan


Called not only to the working of his hands, but the workings of his HEART.

The name Nehemiah means "Yahweh consoles."

Nehemiah's story has encouraged my heart. He was not only a man of prayer and faith but of action and courage as well. When he found out the plight his people were in he was moved to help them.

Nehemiah was among the Jews that were a part of the children of captivity. Because of their disobedience to God many years earlier, they had been scattered and ended up in captivity on foreign soil. Nehemiah was born and raised in a time of affliction for God's people in a place far away from his on homeland. But how exciting to see that God works any where he pleases.

At that time he lived in Susa, Persia, a great distance from Jerusalem. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king of Persia, Artaxerxes, the son of Ahasuerus (Xerex) who took Ester to be queen in the place of Vashti.

We see in his life not only the workings of his hands, but the workings of his heart. It would do us all well to take a good look at his life. He started a project that God called him into and he saw it to completion.

There is much material available on motivation. How to get started and many creative ways to spark initiative. But let's hear it for the opposite end for a change. Let's extol the virtues of sticking with something until it's done. On hanging in there when times get rough, and when the excitement and fun fade into discipline and guts.

So many start the Christian life like a lightening flash. But how many people do you know in their 60's and over who are finishing the course with sustained enthusiasm and vigor?

I. A COMPASSIONATE HEART 1:1-3

When some of Nehemiah's Jewish brothers came to Persia, he cared enough to inquire about the welfare of his people. They told him that some of the city was devastated. The temple had finally been rebuilt, but the walls still laid in ruin. The people were unprotected from their enemies. In being so far away he could have dismissed them completely, but God found this one man, separated by such a distance, touched his caring heart and used him to bring deliverance and restoration to his people.. This shows me the value of one person, and how important "one" can be in the kingdom of God.

II. A CONTRITE HEART 1:4-11

Nehemiah wept when he heard his people were in depression, harassed by their enemies and the wall and gates had been broken down.

As we look about us today, we see many of God's people depressed. Our walls of protection have been broken down. We have become "preoccupied" with materialism, while satan has "occupied" some of our territory. What is our wall of protection against the enemies of our soul? We must know God and His word, study and apply it to our lives. Read Ephesians 6:13-18: it tells us how to be equipped to fight off satan. The armor of God will be a wall of protection which satan cannot penetrate or demolish. If you are in discouragement today pray and seek the Lord with a broken and contrite heart.

III. A CHALLENGED HEART 2:1-10

As Nehemiah prayed for his people, God challenged his heart to go and help restore the broken ruins. Often God will call us to the task in which we are so concerned about. God used his position as cupbearer to assist him in getting started. Through his prayer God prepared the king's heart to allow him to take the journey. Nehemiah was escorted by armed soldiers and given the timber to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When we obey God, he will give us favor and prepare the way. Total obedience is what God requires. A partial obedience is not obedience at all. God demands the whole heart to be submitted to Him. In that arena we find God will give us favor and prepare the way. With God all things are possible.

IV. A HEART THAT COUNTS THE COST 2:1-14

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem he surveyed the situation. He saw the great devastation. He gathered the people together, and gave an accurate assessment of the problems. However, he said, "Come, let us build." The Bible says, "The people had a mind to work". When the leader and the people arise and take God at His word, we then see restoration take place in us and in the body of Christ.

V. A COMMITTED HEART 2:18-20; 4:1-23; 6:1-16

God is looking for committed hearts to complete His work. Hearts committed to prayer, studying the word, and spreading the good news of the gospel. We must be obedient to run the race and go over the finish line. Don't be a quitter! Come on you can make it!

Let me remind you that this kind of determination attracts satanic attention. Satan takes pleasure in quitters, but he hates the one who is determined to obey God. Throughout the building of the wall, the enemies mocked the Jews, lied about them, called them feeble, and tried to inject unbelief so they would give up. Yet, Nehemiah continued to pray and set up a guard against them night and day. The enemy tried to put fear in their hearts, they kept their armor on and continued to work. If at any time the trumpet sounded, they would rally together to fight. Do you know that they completed the walls in fifty two days, and not once did they have to go to combat with the enemy. They were prepared and ready at all times. But God frustrated the enemies plans, so God's people completed the wall. Chapter 6:16 tells us, "the enemies lost their confidence: for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of God."

"Come on, you get back up, you can make it." God has not brought you this far to fail. From the ashes of defeat can burn the greatest fires of accomplishment. The taste of victory will always last far longer than the memory of your struggles. Say with me, "God is at work in me and satan cannot touch me and above me is a big sign, "God at work, Enemies Beware!"

Page created by Cindy Hyde
Sponsored by The Remnant