Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Comforted by God

Nehemiah 2:11-18
v18 I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us start building!” So they committed themselves to the common good.

Do you remember the last time you were in so much anguish and distress, that it affected your demeanor and even your sleep? Was it a personal issue you were struggling with or maybe stress from work or school?
Nehemiah, which means comforted by God, was a Jewish descendant of Babylonian exiles. He had received the prestigious position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. The book of Nehemiah begins with his brother Hanani, informing him that “survivors who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah was so troubled that his reaction was similar to what we might have done; he wept, mourned, fasted and prayed.
In all his time as cupbearer, not once was he ever visibly upset in front of the king. However, the plight of his people and city was unbearable and the pain was evident on his face. The king quickly assessed it to be “sadness of the heart.” Nehemiah prayed to the Lord and explained what had occurred. The king authorized Nehemiah to immediately go to Jerusalem and repair the city and its walls. He even provided official royal letters authorizing Nehemiah to do what is required and even to obtain the materials to make the necessary repairs.
Despite having the authority given to him by God through the king, Nehemiah waited 3 days in Jerusalem before beginning an inspection of the walls. Many biblical scholars believe Nehemiah might have spent the time in prayer, preparing himself for what he was about to see. The fact that he woke up in the middle of the night and went off to begin the inspection has always interested me. Was the magnitude and turmoil of the situation weighing so heavily on Nehemiah that he could not sleep? We don’t know for certain, but we do know it was at this point he decided to embrace the authority given to him by God and the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The man who was in extreme discomfort found comfort in knowing the Lord was with him. He courageously told the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, and the rest that were to do the work about the gracious hand of God that was upon him. This was the assurance needed for the people to confidently say, “Let us start building!”.
May we be equipped and prepared to be used by God to advance His mission in our life and for the glory of His name. And may we be willing to be comforted in the times of greatest discomfort knowing the gracious hand of God is ever upon us.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us to be like Nehemiah and have the confidence in knowing you are guiding us through all our trials and tribulations. AMEN

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Let us learn this lesson from Nehemiah: you never lighten the load unless first you have felt the pressure in your own soul. You are never used of God to bring blessing until God has opened your eyes and made you see things as they are.” – Alan Redpath

Dr. Ron Jacob, Long Island MTC
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more