A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (September 14, 2017)
As He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it [and the spiritual ignorance of its people], saying, “If [only] you had known on this day [of salvation], even you, the things which make for peace [and on which peace depends]! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. (Luke 19:41-42)
The Book of Nehemiah is one of the greatest books in the Bible on spiritual leadership and spiritual warfare. It is also one of the best Old Testament books that paints a picture of Jesus Christ. We could spend weeks on this book but we will try to keep it down to several devotionals. Hopefully it will give our readers some keen insight into the thoughts and wisdom of a great spiritual leader and the various challenges he encountered and overcame.
Nehemiah was the Persian King’s (Artaxerxes I) cupbearer. This meant Nehemiah was a highly trusted servant of the King (serving at his side) who was responsible for the quality and non-poisonous content of the wine that was served to the King. This was a highly favored and honorable position. Nehemiah had it made. He lived in the King’s palace and had all his needs met. The only downsides to this position was he might get drunk from drinking too much wine or, even worse, he might die from drinking poisoned wine intended for the King.
One day, Nehemiah inquired about his fellow Jews that had returned to Jerusalem. He was told that the people were in great affliction, the city wall had been broken down, and the gates had been burned with fire. This disturbed Nehemiah greatly and he sat down and wept over his people and the city. Now, he could have gone off the deep end and immediately ran to the King to solicit help. Or, he could have convinced himself not to get involved and risk his plush way of living. But notice what Nehemiah did. He prayed and fasted for 4-6 months and sought God’s plan (talk about patience)!
It is also really important to notice that when Nehemiah prayed he took on all the sins of the people and ask God to forgive them, including himself and his family. After four months of praying and fasting the breakthrough came. The King noticed that Nehemiah was sad and asked him what the problem was. Nehemiah shared his heart in the following verses:
And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. (Nehemiah 2:3-5)
Please notice that Nehemiah was concerned for the city. He was weeping and praying for the city. Sometimes we limit our prayers to ourselves, our family, and our friends, when God is concerned with a city, a nation, and a world.
The King agreed to let Nehemiah go and even gave him official letters that showed he was supported by the King, just in case anyone had questions latter about Nehemiah’s authority (and they would).
Now, let’s review the first part of this story and see how it reflects Jesus. Nehemiah serves at the side of the King. He was the server of the wine. He was willing to lay his life down. He was a man of prayer. He wept over the city of Jerusalem. He fasted and prayed and did not do anything until he was given permission by the King. When permission was granted, he left the palace and went to save a city and a people.
Jesus sits at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). Jesus is the one that gave us the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Jesus gave His life for us (1 John 3:16). Jesus was a man of prayer (Matthew 26:36). Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Jesus did not do anything that He did not have permission from the Father to do (John 5:19). Jesus left Heaven for our salvation (John 3:13). There are more similarities to come.
Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow where we will start reviewing all the challenges Nehemiah went through to rebuild the City of Jerusalem!!
