SCRIPTURE READING:
Nehemiah 1:1-4
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:
During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
Kingdom Leadership
Philippians 1:27
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
The ways and values of the Kingdom of God are upside-down to the ways and values of the world.
Nehemiah is not a perfect person or a perfect leader.
Nehemiah provides us a picture of a Kingdom leader.
Response to Crisis
Nehemiah 1:1-2
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:
During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.
Answering: Who?
This is a story about Nehemiah, and by Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 1:11b
At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.
He was not a priest or a Bible teacher or a prophet, but rather a government official, an administrator and advisor to the king.
Answering: When?
Conquered and exiled:
- Israel in 721 BC by Assyria
- Judah in 586 BC by Babylon
In 538/539 BC the Persians conquered Babylon
Nehemiah returns to Judah in 444 BC.
Answering: Where?
Nehemiah was living in exile in the nation of Persia.
Answering: What?
Nehemiah 1:2-3
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”
Even though Nehemiah had never been to Judah he still identified himself as a part of the people of God, thus he cared deeply for the land and the people of Judah.
The people are in trouble because a wall provides security.
The people are in disgrace because the destroyed walls were a source of communal shame and a constant reminder of the sins and failings of their forefathers.
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
In times of crisis Kingdom leaders will turn to the Lord.
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
In times of crisis we can pray about everything – desperate, heart-wrenching, faith-filled prayers!
As Kingdom people do we respond to crisis in our lives and our world by turning to the Lord?
Nehemiah responds to crisis by going to the Lord because he knows to whom he prays – the God of the heavens.
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
Let us not forget or lose sight of the power and glory and majesty of our God, who longs to hear our prayers and bring peace to our hearts.