Nehemiah lived in the days following the Israelite captivity in Babylon. The first captives had been allowed to return to Jerusalem and reconstruct the temple. However, those who returned had left the walls of the city in great disrepair. When Nehemiah heard this discouraging report, he asked permission of the king to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the once mighty walls.
Nehemiah’s request was granted. He traveled to Jerusalem in the year 445 BC and motivated the people to rebuild the walls in record time. But Nehemiah discovered there was more broken in Jerusalem than just physical walls. It had been many years since the people truly worshipped God; spiritual walls were now in desperate need of mending.
Nehemiah knew the only way toward spiritual repair was through the Word of God. He gathered the people and they wept as Ezra read God’s Word “from daybreak till noon” (Nehemiah 8:3). For seven days, Ezra continued to read. On the eighth day, walls began to mend as the people “spent another quarter {of the day} in confession and worshipping the Lord” (Nehemiah 9:3). True repair occurred as they recommitted their lives to following the commands of God.
Nehemiah 10:29
“All these now bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses…and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord.”
Our world continues to change. Nations continue to build physical walls and attack one another while showing little concern for the spiritual walls which protect from the real enemy. Years of neglect, and large scale drifting from God’s path, have left our spiritual walls cracked and vulnerable. Our families are seldom led by God and our courts make laws without seeking His counsel. Attacks come from every direction and our defenses are weak!
The repair of our spiritual walls will not occur at the national level. Governments have become too large and diverse to even recognize this need. But we have the opportunity all around the world to rebuild, one individual, one family, one church, and one community at a time. We have the ability to repair the portion of wall within our circle of influence. Together, we CAN rebuild and strengthen!!
As in the time of Nehemiah, we must return to a passion for the Word of God. His Word reveals His eternal plan through faith in His Son, and provides guidance and strength for our daily walk through His Spirit. Let’s become people dedicated to study and prayer, and allow each day of our lives to be led by God’s Spirit. Let’s make a lasting commitment to focus on the eternal and rebuild our spiritual walls.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Aug 31 Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13
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