Wednesday, January 24, 2024

FORTIFICATION of FAITH

 

Psalm 62:8

King James Version

8 Trust in him at all times; 

ye people, pour out your heart before him: 

God is a refuge for us. Selah.


We've all seen from the rebuilding series, how Nehemiah approached rebuilding Jerusalem in the Old Testament.

A product of grief, at seeing the city in ruins.

A product of prayer, for GOD to help him with the project.

A product of vision, that the extensive rebuilding can be done.

A product of faith, that Nehemiah had his senses about.

A product of hard work, despite the many enemy threats.


It took a mere 52 days for the walls to be repaired.

(Remember, this is a city; not just any ordinary wall.)

And all because Nehemiah prayed.

King Artaxerxes allowed Nehemiah to take leave as cupbearer.

With Nehemiah in constant communication with GOD.

Sure, Jerusalem is GOD's holy city.

But until, and unless the people's hearts were right with GOD, the LORD wouldn't have allowed the grand scheme.

He saw through Nehemiah's heart.

Nehemiah 1:3-4

King James Version

3 And they said unto me, 

The remnant that are left 

of the captivity there in the province 

are in great affliction and reproach: 

the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, 

and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, 

that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, 

and fasted, 

and prayed before the God of heaven,


Approaching the king, Nehemiah said:

Nehemiah 2:5

King James Version

5 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.


The king agreed, and the rebuilding began.

By GOD's design, the Jews believed in Nehemiah's project.

Also because Nehemiah acknowledged GOD.

Nehemiah 2:18

King James Version

18 Then I told them of the hand of my God 

which was good upon me; 

as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. 

And they said, 

Let us rise up and build. 

So they strengthened their hands 

for this good work.


Afterwards, all went according to GOD's plan, through Nehemiah.

No matter the threats, or volume of work, the rebuilding progressed.

It is so, when people's hearts are one.

When they believe in something good.

When they believe in the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

When they believe it is for the safety of all.


We need more leaders like Nehemiah.

Who never thought of self, but only of GOD.

And of his people.

What a remarkable man of GOD!


Related material:

REBUILDING Jerusalem

SPIRIT of GOD

FAITH


Image: Free Bible Images


SURE and STRONG

  JESUS said : Matthew 7:24-25 King James Version 24 Therefore whosoever heareth  these sayings* of mine, and doeth them,  I will liken him ...