Day 223

Nehemiah 1:1–3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

TODAY WE BEGAN the book of Nehemiah —a biblical writing that is part of a grouping of volumes known as the books of history. Nehemiah picks up largely where Ezra left off. In fact, Christian tradition offers Ezra as at least one of the authors, because Ezra and Nehemiah were a single manuscript at one time.

Nehemiah was a Jewish exile in Persia who had followed the story of God’s favor in allowing the few Jewish people who remained to return to their homeland and rebuild God’s Temple. He was able to follow the story closely because he was a direct servant to the Persian king. What pulled Nehemiah’s heart into months of intercession was the heartbreaking image of God’s Temple —the very symbol of the Jewish people, and the place where God met with mankind — sitting completely undefended. A passion to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls began to boil within Nehemiah until he could not withhold this desire from the king.

Nehemiah faced all kinds of opposition, but through it all, he persevered. He was single-mindedly resolute and did not lose sight of his utter dependence on the Lord. These are all things required for a successful life of faith.

The wall was rebuilt in record time, and Nehemiah —as promised —returned to Persia to report to the king and resume his role in his majesty’s service. Later, he returned to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, what he found troubled him deeply. The wall was indeed strong, but the people were weak.

Nehemiah passionately stepped into the breach, restoring Israel to its glory before the Lord. Repentance and revival spread throughout the returned exiles as the law was read.

Nehemiah isn’t just a great story or a piece of history. It is a rich metaphor for how to pursue a passion and live into a calling. In today’s reading alone, we watched Nehemiah’s process of intercession, passion, and systematic planning —he crossed every t and dotted every i. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he strove to be incognito. He looked the entire situation over clearly before involving the opinion of many voices. His example is a magnificent guide for our own lives when we find a passion boiling within.

MEDITATION:

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.