Disappointment with God

What is the use of setting aside time to read the Bible and pray?  Is there really any benefit to it?

How long can I continue to endure the struggle in my broken relationship with my spouse, employer, son or daughter, etc.?  It will never get better.

What’s the use of my participation in church, and why should I give ten percent of my income to the church?

We all ask ourselves some form of these questions at one point or another.

These questions are rooted in spiritual issues and have answers rooted in the Scriptural doctrine.

We live in an age that brings these questions to the surface.  The idea that there are no absolutes dominates the philosophy of our day.  This basic philosophy plays into our desire to do whatever we want, and our natural tendency to doubt.  While the age tends to bring these questions to the surface, the issue is one of the heart and these questions reflect disillusionment with God.  We all face times of disappointment with God.

Malachi wrote to a people struggling with questions like these, or at least they struggled with the spiritual issues behind these questions.

Malachi’s name means “My Messenger” or “Messenger.”  Another translation is “Angel,” since angel is just another word for messenger.  This is all we know about Malachi as a person.  Malachi prophesied during the time of Nehemiah, just as Haggai and Zechariah prophesied during the time of Ezra. The book of Nehemiah closes out the historical books of the Old Testament and the book of Malachi closes out the prophetic books of the Old Testament.

At the time Malachi brought God’s message to the people, the temple had been rebuilt and the walls also were rebuilt and standing secure.  The people had settled in and life was becoming routine.  However, routine did not mean easy. 

The excitement of the rebuilt temple and wall wore off, and the challenges of everyday life took over.

In these circumstances, the people became disillusioned with God.  Their disappointment involved God’s revealed character.  In their circumstances, they could not see that God loved them and that God’s justice would prevail. 

Through Malachi, God addresses their concerns, and in the answers He gives, we find the answers to the questions we started out with.

The first aspect of God’s revealed character that God addresses is God’s love.

Malachi starts out with God saying, “I have always loved you.”  (Malachi 1:2)[i]

The people no longer believed that God loved them.  They did not see it in the challenges and difficulties of their daily lives.  In Malachi when God says, “I have always loved you,” the people say, “Really?  How have you loved us?”

Whatever they thought God’s love should look like…their lives were not it.  Therefore, they were disillusioned with God.

Not believing God loved them resulted in serious spiritual problems.

First, they showed contempt for God.  In Malachi 1:6, God accuses the priests and people of showing contempt for Him.  This contempt was shown in the quality of their sacrifices and service for the Lord.  Malachi 1:13 is a good summary of the problem.

“You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  “Think of it!  Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings!  Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD.

The problem of the heart is expressed in the statement, “It’s too hard to serve the Lord,” and also in the rejection of the commands of the Lord. 

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”  (John 14:15, ESV) 

Not believing God loved them resulted in the people showing contempt for God.

Second, not believing God loved them resulted in them showing contempt for the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love rejoices with the truth.  In Malachi 2, God chastises the priests for not holding to the truth.  Malachi 2:7-8 says:

“The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  But you priests have left God’s paths.  Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin.  You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

A compromising attitude toward the truth is the second expression of not believing God loved them.  Not believing God loved them resulted in them compromising the truth.

Third, not believing God loved them resulted in them showing contempt for marriage.

Marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church, between God and His people.  In Malachi, God addresses this problem by saying:

Didn’t the LORD make you one with your wife?  In body and spirit you are his.  And what does he want?  Godly children from your union.  So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.  “For I hate divorce!” says the LORD, the God of Israel.  “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”  (Malachi 2:15:16)

Not believing God loved them resulted in the people showing contempt for God, for truth and for marriage.  When the people said, “Really? How have you loved us,” God replied:

“This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country.”  (Malachi 1:2-3)

The best reinforcement for our faith in the love of God is the doctrine of election.  We know that God loves us because Jesus took our place on the cross.  Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.”  (John 15:13)  And the Apostle John said, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children.”  God chose us to be His friends and children.  The fact that out of all the people in the world, God should choose me as His friend and that He should choose to adopt me as His child should convince me of His love.  If you ever wondered why the doctrine of election is important, this is why.  Let it sink into your heart.  God chose you.  You, personally, as an individual…God chose you, because He loves you.

Doubting God’s love is a huge spiritual problem, and it will surely make setting aside time to read the Bible and pray too much of a burden.  

Malachi wrote to a people disillusioned with God and spoke to them of God’s love.  However, they were also disillusioned with God because they did not see God’s justice.

Malachi 2:17 says:

You have wearied the LORD with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.

You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the LORD’s sight, and he is pleased with them.  You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”

In Malachi 3:5, God lists several social injustices that occur because people do not fear God’s justice.  The list from verse 5 is: Sorcery, cheating employees of wages, oppression, inequity and injustice.

Doubting God’s love is closely related to not believing in God’s justice.  Just as circumstances seem to indicate that God is not concerned with us, circumstances can seem to indicate that people are getting away with sorcery, cheating and injustice.  We can even begin to envy the ungodly, and even begin to cheat ourselves, thinking we can get away with it.

Not only do we cheat people, we cheat God.  Actually, it seems we are quicker to cheat God than people and that we fear being caught cheating people more than we fear cheating God.

Cheating God is not limited to tithes and offerings.  However, tithes and offerings are a concrete indicator of our attitude toward God.  In Malachi 3:6-12, God addresses His peoples’ decision to cheat on tithes and offerings.  They did not think God would notice. 

God calls them out and said, “Should people cheat God?  Yet you have cheated me!”  (Malachi 3:8)

Tithing starts with the truth that all that we have comes from God, and therefore it is natural that we should give to Him from what He has given to us.  When this truth does not motivate us to give, it is an indication that our confidence is not in God. 

The New Testament standard for giving is different from the Old Testament standard for giving.  As a national organization, the Jewish religion mandated offerings in the same way taxes are required to support a civil government.  The Church does not mandate offerings.  However, as a worldwide body, the Church depends upon the offerings of God’s people.  2 Corinthians 9:7 summarizes the New Testament standard for giving. 

You must each decide in your heart how much to give.  And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure.  "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

The seeming obvious solution to doubting God’s justice would be His omnipresence.  He sees and knows everything.  However, this is not what God addresses in Malachi.  He addresses the promise of His coming.  The great hope of the Jewish nation was the coming of the Messiah, and the great hope of the Church is His return.

Malachi 3:1 says: 

“Look!  I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.  Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple.  The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

As for justice and what God will do about those who do wrong and those who do right, Malachi 4:1-2 says: 

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace.  On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw.  They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

Malachi closed out the revelation of the Old Testament looking forward to the coming of the Messiah.  He wrote to a people who were perhaps tired, but they certainly seemed disappointed with God.  These people were living at the end of two thousand years of waiting for the Messiah.

We are living at the end of two thousand years of waiting.  Here is what Jesus had to say about our day.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.  And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.  Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”  (Matthew 24:9-14)

Peter tells us that God is not slow concerning His promises.  He is patient, wanting everyone to have a chance to repent.  (2 Peter 3:9)  This means we must be patient as well.  Jesus says we must endure to the end.  It is easy to become discouraged and even disillusioned, but we must not lose hope.  The truth of God’s word can strengthen us as we endure.  Let these two truths encourage you in your endurance. 

First, God chose you, and loves you. 

Second, He is coming back…soon. 

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

God's Word

Babylon deported God’s people, and held them captive for 70 years.  Then the Persians took over and God’s people were ruled by yet another wicked nation.  The Babylonian and Persian empires spread idol worship, avarice and debauchery wherever they went.  These Empires influenced God’s people as God’s people lived among godless,  idolatrous peoples.

God called Ezra and Nehemiah to a unique role in rebuilding the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.  Ezra and Nehemiah were faced with leading a people that were influenced by the cultures of the Babylonians, the Persians and the peoples living around them.  Their compromise with these cultures is seen in their intercultural marriages.

Let me be clear.  Intercultural marriage is not the issue.  The issue is the compromise with or the acceptance of a culture and/or worldview that is entirely hostile to the God of Israel and His word. 

Racism of any kind has no room in the service of the God who made all peoples.  However, the servant of the Most High God must remain “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 15:58)  Love is our rule and the Word of God is our guide.  The command to love your neighbor as yourself applies to all people, everywhere.  However, this does not mean that we ever compromise the truth.

Compromise is exactly what was happening in Nehemiah’s day.  The Law of God was being set aside in order to make allowance for marriages with people who did not respect, believe in or revere the God of Israel.  Nehemiah 13:28 tells of a priest who married an unbeliever, which was expressly forbidden by the Word of God.

Compromise has happened throughout history, and God continually calls His people back to Himself.  Many institutions that started out with a clear commitment to the Word of God have compromised the truth until they no longer acknowledge that we have a word from God.  Even some so called “Churches” deny that we have a clear word from God.

In Nehemiah, we have an example of God bringing His people back to Himself.  The means or way He does this is through the Word of God.  Evidence is abundant and clear in support of the claim that the Bible is the Word of God.  It is not my goal or purpose here to present such evidence.  Rather, it is my intention today to observe the Word of God at work in peoples’ lives.  This is more about learning from an example than about convincing.  If you want to stay true to God and avoid compromising the truth, then Nehemiah 8 can be of great help.

In Nehemiah 8, we see four distinct steps that Ezra led the people through as they approached the Word of God.

The only way to avoid drifting away from the truth is a commitment to the Word of God.  The only way to recapture the truth is to return to the Word of God.  If we follow the four steps that Ezra led the people of God through, we will discover the truth.

The first step they took was to read the Word of God.

We find this in verses 1-3 of Nehemiah 8.

In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate.  They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had given for Israel to obey.

So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.  He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand.  All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.[i]

Notice that all the people gathered with a unified purpose.  Nehemiah does not say that this gathering was mandated.  Next, it says that the people asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses.  It appears this was a voluntary seeking after God. 

When your heart moves you toward the Word of God, do not ignore it.  This prompting toward the Word may very well be the Holy Spirit drawing you toward God.

In addition, notice that the people gathered in the square just inside the Water Gate.  Two things are significant about this.  First, it was a space large enough to accommodate the large crowd.  Second, it was a space with unrestricted access.  Any person who wished to could attend and listen.  If, for example, they had met in the temple, women, children and foreigners could not have attended.  Access would have been restricted.  God’s Word is for all people and anyone who wishes should have access to it.

The Word of God was read from early morning until noon, and all the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

This was the first step in restoring the people and returning to the truth.  The second step was a natural part of the first.  They reflected on what was read.

Reflecting is the second step.  In truth, reflecting is not separate from the reading.  Reflecting is part of how we read.  We find this in Nehemiah 8:5-6.

Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people.  When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.

Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen!  Amen!” as they lifted their hands.  Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

The people thought about what they were reading.  This is the meaning of reflecting. 

We see their careful thought in the fact that they stood when Ezra stood to read.  They recognized that this was no ordinary book, but that it was God’s word to them.  

The first question each person must answer in regard to the Bible is “What kind of a book is it?” Many different attitudes exist about the Bible.  Some compare it to other ancient manuscripts and the sacred books of other religions.  Some dismiss it because they were told by a knowledgeable source that it is a book full of inaccuracies, errors and contradictions.  I wish that those who take these attitudes would investigate these claims.  Many have set out to prove these claims and have ended up becoming Christians.  Without research or trying to make anything like an exhaustive list, I will name four examples of people who became defenders of the Bible after having set out to disprove it.  If you want more details, read their works.  These examples are G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel.  The simple truth of the matter is that the Bible is a unique book, and in all of human history, there has never been any other book like it.

If you read it as history or literature with the attitude that it is a collection of fairy tales, it is far less likely to transform your life.  It is still dangerous.  It is powerful and may yet convince you.  This is why countries that want to be atheist or Islamic ban the Bible.

At some point, a person must recognize the Bible for what it is.

Having stood in recognition of the Word of God, the people joined Ezra in worshiping God.

Worship is a natural part of reflection.  As one listens to or reads the Word of God, the realization of what He is saying leads naturally to worship.  Did you know that the God who made the universe wants to be your friend?  Did you know that He loved you enough to die for you?  We discover these truths while reflecting on what God is saying in His Word.

Reading and reflecting are the starting point.  The third step is researching.  By researching, I mean seeking to understand what is being read.

We see the people researching in Nehemiah 8:7-8. 

The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places.  They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

The Levites were the trained, professional clergy of the nation of Israel.  They had invested a lifetime in studying the Word of God, the language it was written in and the practicalities of teaching the Word of God.  It was their job to translate the Word for those who did not understand, and to make clear the meaning of those passages that were hard to understand.

Professional clergy have often been the problem in drifting away from the truth.  However, the priesthood and Levites of the Old Testament were established by God, as were the pastors, teachers and elders of the New Testament.  There are Biblical standards set for leaders and teachers of God’s people for the safety of God’s people.  One such standard is Isaiah 8:20.  “Look to God's instructions and teachings!  People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.”  While it is the clergy’s job to make clear the Scriptures, it is each person’s responsibility to study God’s word for themselves to be sure of the truth of what is being taught.

2 Peter 3:16 says about Paul’s writings:

Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture.  And this will result in their destruction.

This is why Paul says: 

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.  Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  (2 Timothy 2:15)

So far, we have looked at three steps: read, reflect and research.  These three flow naturally one after the other.  In the same way, the fourth step flows naturally from these.  We see this fourth step in the remainder of chapter 8, but we will focus mainly on verses 9 and 10.

The people reformed their ways.  Hearing and understanding brought about a change in behavior.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 says: 

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this!  For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.”  For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.  This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Weeping is the first sign that the Word has reached the heart.  Confession and repentance are a natural response to confronting our sinfulness in the Word of God. 

The remainder of Nehemiah 8 tells how the people immediately put the Word of God in action by observing a national festival called the “Festival of Booths.”  The book of Nehemiah then continues describing various other reforms that took place due to the reading of God’s Word.

James 1:22-25 says: 

But don’t just listen to God’s word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

The people of Nehemiah’s day wept when they understood the Word of God because they saw themselves clearly, like in a mirror.  Many reject the truth of God’s Word because it makes them uncomfortable, but at what price?  Remember 2 Peter 3:16, which said, “…this will result in their destruction.”

Since the Bible is God’s Word to us, its message is a matter of life and death.  Reading, reflecting, researching and reforming according to the Word of God is not just for those who have time.  Understanding and applying the Word of God to our lives is the most important issue of our lives.

The first and greatest commandment God has given is to love the Lord with all your heart.  How can you do this if you will not listen to what He has to say?

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

The Enemy's Schemes

Nehemiah 6[i]

Nehemiah was uniquely positioned.  He was the right person at the right time in the right position.

This is true of many of the heroes of the Bible.

Moses, Joshua, Debora, Samson, Ruth, David, Elijah and Esther all can be described in the same way.

These people all share a common theme.  They each served a history-shaping purpose in God’s plan for His people.

For Nehemiah, his history-shaping purpose was rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, as well as leading in the spiritual reformation of God’s people at that particular time in their history.

Not one of the people mentioned above operated alone.  Many, many people helped, advised, supported and strengthened them in their calling.  The leaders are the names we know, but others had a part.

You and I may not be Bible heroes, but God calls each of us for His purposes.  We almost never have any idea of the history-shaping nature of the work God calls us to.  You or I may not be the one whose names are put on the book, but we all have a part.

The New Testament likens the Church to a body and says:

The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.”  The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”  In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  (1 Corinthians 12:21-22)

In the Body of Christ, each member has a part.  Each member is gifted by the Holy Spirit to fill a particular need or place.

As an important part of what God is doing, each one of us can expect to face opposition.  This is why in Ephesians 6:10 we are encouraged to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  Accompanying this admonition to be strong is the command, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  (Ephesians 6:11, ESV)[ii]

In Nehemiah 6, we see the schemes of the devil at work.

By this time in Nehemiah’s account, all the gaps have been closed in the wall.  The only thing remaining was to set up the doors in the gates.  (Nehemiah 6:2)

The first thing the enemy did was to try to stop the work.  Nehemiah chapter 4 tells the story of how Nehemiah’s enemies tried to attack and stop the work.  In my analogy, this is equivalent to our enemy who tries to stop us from coming to Christ in the first place.  Our enemy will do anything to try to stop even one person from accepting Jesus as Savior.  Once a person accepts Christ, a wall of protection exists around that person.  The Bible says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  (1 John 4:4, ESV)  1 John 5:18 explains that the evil one cannot touch the child of God.

Today, we are looking at the devil’s schemes once the decision has been made.

Once the wall was built, the builders were not vulnerable to attack in the same way.  However, this does not mean that their enemies gave up.  Their enemies changed their strategy.

The first strategy or scheme was to trick Nehemiah.

We see this in Nehemiah 6:1-3.

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates.  So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.

But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

When the straightforward frontal attack failed, Nehemiah’s enemies resorted to trickery.  On the pretense of wanting to talk, they sought to draw Nehemiah out into the open where he was vulnerable.

This scheme is still used by our enemy.

One common way he practices to deceive is to convince us that the consequences of our behavior will not be bad or that the behavior itself is not bad.  God’s protection is on those that love Him and obey Him.  If our enemy can trick us into disobedience, he can get us into the “open” where we are vulnerable.  The Bible warns us:

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  (Galatians 6:7-8, ESV)

This phrase “Do not be deceived” for our purposes today could say, “Do not let the devil trick you.”  As believers and children of God, we can still sow to the flesh and from the flesh reap corruption.  However, the devil tries to trick us into thinking this is not so.  These messages are in our culture.  We cannot have sex outside of marriage without consequences, but our world says it is okay.  We cannot harbor resentment in our hearts without consequences, but the enemy convinces us that we are justified in our bitterness.  We cannot be selfish and greedy without consequences, but the enemy tells us that we need these things.  The list goes on and on.  Therefore, the way to counter this is found in the verses above.  We reap what we sow.

Nehemiah wanted a wall so he stayed working on the wall.  Metaphorically speaking he sowed a wall and reaped a wall. 

Do you have a clear vision of what you want to reap?

If you seek God with all your heart, he will make your path clear.  If you are praying, reading God’s word and seeking God, then you should pursue whatever God puts on your heart.

When Nehemiah could not be tricked out into the open, his enemies tried another scheme or strategy. 

They sought to intimidate and discourage Nehemiah.

This is found in Nehemiah 6:4-9:

Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.  The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said:

“There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall.  According to his reports, you plan to be their king.  He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’

“You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”

I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work.  So I continued the work with even greater determination.

Nehemiah’s enemies openly accused him of treason, which was a capital offense.  Nehemiah knew there was no truth in these accusations.  However, they were frightening and just by being brought up, these accusations were very dangerous.  Instead of being intimidated, Nehemiah trusted God for strength to continue the work.

When trickery does not work, our enemy will use a different scheme.  He will accuse us in order to intimidate and discourage us.  Depending on the work, this can be a public accusation like Nehemiah experienced, or it can be a personal, private accusation.  We all experience the personal private accusations.

The personal, private accusations are usually related to our identity as children of God.  “You are not good enough.”  “You cannot do that.” 

When fear and uncertainty threaten to keep you from doing the work God has put before you, remember two passages of Scripture.

First, Philippians 4:13: 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

And second, James 4:7:

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Notice with me that Nehemiah did not waste much time with the accusation.  He all but ignored it.  He denied it and then got back to work.  For us, when the devil accuses us, we need to remind ourselves of the truth of Scripture and get back to work.  It is true.  I am a sinner, but so is it true that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9, ESV)

When trickery, intimidation and discouragement did not work, Nehemiah’s enemies tried a third scheme.  They sought to discredit him.  They did this through another form of trickery.

This is found in Nehemiah 6:10-13.

Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home.  He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut.  Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”

But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger?  Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life?  No, I won’t do it!”  I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.  They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin.  Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.

Here we see that Nehemiah says that his enemies were trying to intimidate him and cause him to sin.  This would allow them to discredit Nehemiah.

Nehemiah’s enemies tried first to create fear, and then do something inappropriate based on that fear.

Fear is not from God.  The Bible says:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Spirit of God gives us boldness.

The Apostle Paul asked for prayer saying:

I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador.  So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.  (Ephesians 6:20)

What is your biggest fear? 

Is it financial?  Is it health?  Is it a relationship?  Is it fear of failure? 

Whatever your biggest fear is, the devil will use it to get you to do something inappropriate if you do not learn to handle fear with faith.

This is why Ephesians 6:11 says:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  ESV

The devil and his schemes have not changed since the days of Nehemiah.  We can still expect trickery, intimidation and attempts to discredit us.  However, we have the encouragement of the Scriptures which say:

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  (1 John 5:4)

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

The Prayer the Lord Hears

Nehemiah 1[i]

Jerusalem lay in ruins for 70 years.

Nebuchadnezzar and his army tore down the walls, burned the houses, destroyed the temple, and those they did not kill, they took captive to Babylon.

Then Cyrus issued a decree, and fifty thousand Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

Fifty thousand is a small number compared to the people and nations already occupying the territory to which the Jews returned.

In spite of opposition, the temple was rebuilt, being completed on March 21, 516 B.C.[ii]

The time from 538 B.C. to 516 B.C. represents 22 years during which the Jews labored in the rebuilding of the temple.

Nehemiah 1:1 dates itself as being in the 20^th year of King Artaxerxes’ reign.  This puts the events of Nehemiah 1 at 446 B.C.  This means another 70 years have passed since the end of the Jewish Exile.

Nehemiah works for the King.  He is the King’s cupbearer.  (Nehemiah 1:11) The cupbearer was a high-ranking official.  The cupbearer served the drinks at the royal table, and he guarded against the king being poisoned. In order to protect the king from poison, it was the job of the cupbearer to swallow some of the drink before serving it to the king.  (A nice job to have unless someone tried to poison the king.)

Nehemiah 1:2-4 says:

Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah.  I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah.  They are in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

When I heard this, I sat down and wept.  In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Have you ever received news that caused you to mourn, fast and pray for days?

We all face these moments in life. 

Where do you turn?

When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem still lay in ruins, he was devastated.  He mourned, fasted and prayed for days.  The prayer recorded in Nehemiah 1 takes less than 5 minutes to read.  Therefore, we can assume it is a synopsis of his prayers.  It is an actual prayer, but I am sure it grew out of days of struggling in his heart.

God caused this prayer to be recorded for our instruction.  It is not the only example of prayer in Scripture, and much needs to be learned about prayer by experience and applying the whole of Scripture.  However, by examining this prayer we can discover principles that will help us grow in our prayer life. 

The Apostle Paul taught us that we should never stop praying.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 he tells us:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  ESV[iii]

Let’s take this instruction seriously, and see what principle we can apply from Nehemiah’s example.

The first principle we learn is that we should pray fervently.

We see this principle in Nehemiah 1:4.

When I heard this, I sat down and wept.  In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah’s petition was not half-hearted nor was he detached emotionally.

James 5:16 says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

Our Lord Jesus addressed our desires when he said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”  (Matthew 5:6, ESV)

From these two passages of Scripture and others, we can see that our desires and emotions are involved in prayer.

E. M. Bounds wrote:

Desire is not merely a simple wish; it is a deep seated craving; an intense longing, for attainment.  In the realm of spiritual affairs, it is an important adjunct to prayer.  So important is it, that one might say, almost, that desire is an absolute essential of prayer.  Desire precedes prayer, accompanies it, is followed by it.  Desire goes before prayer, and by it, created and intensified. Prayer is the oral expression of desire.[iv]

The intensity of our desire is not what brings an answer.  Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  (John 15:7, ESV)  Abiding in Jesus and in His word creates in us spiritual desires and a “hungering and thirsting after righteousness.”  When Jesus prayed in the Garden, He prayed that the cup might pass from Him, but then He appended this request with “Not my will but thine be done.”  This shows us the nature of a spiritual hunger that wishes for the will of God to be accomplished above all else.

This is not a cold mechanical thing.  It is a fervent desire born of days of mourning, fasting and prayer.  God does not want us cold.  He said to the Church of Laodicea, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  Would that you were either cold or hot!”  (Revelation 3:15, ESV)

We need to abide in Jesus and let His word abide in us to the point that our desires are in line with God’s desires.  This brings about fervent prayer. 

In addition to praying fervently, we also see that we must pray with humility.  This is the next principle we see in Nehemiah’s prayer.  We must pray with humility.

Nehemiah prayed with humility when he said:

“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer!  Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel.  I confess that we have sinned against you.  Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!  We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.  (Nehemiah 1:5-7)

Two aspects of humility are apparent in this part of Nehemiah’s prayer.

First, he acknowledges who God is.  Nothing can keep us humble like acknowledging that God is the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love.

When Isaiah saw the glory of God he said, "It's all over!  I am doomed, for I am a sinful man.  I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips.  Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven's Armies."  (Isaiah 6:5)

The first aspect of humility is acknowledging who God is.  The second aspect of humility follows naturally from this acknowledgement.  The second aspect of humility is the confession of our own sin and sinfulness.

In regard to his sin, David said, “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.  You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.”  (Psalm 51:4)  When a person sees God for who God is, that person then understands that God’s judgement is just. 

Nehemiah saw the sinfulness of his ancestors, and saw their sinful attitudes and practices in himself.  He did not try to find someone else to blame.  He did not point the finger at anyone else.  He confessed his own sin and sinfulness.

If we cannot take responsibility and admit our sin, we cannot be right with God.  1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” 

Prayer starts with desire and continues with humility.  The next principle we see is that prayer requires faith.

When I say faith, I do not mean blind, leap-off-a-cliff hope.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for according to Hebrews 11:1.  We see faith expressed in Nehemiah’s prayer when he prays:

“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations.  But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’”  (Nehemiah 1:8-9)

Nehemiah is praying based on God’s revealed will, God’s word.

Romans 10:17 says:

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  ESV

Faith is based on an understanding of what God has said and then trusting that God will do what He has said.  Effective prayer is based on the word of God.  Nehemiah prayed with confidence because he prayed according to God’s word.

Desire, humility and faith are principles of prayer that we see in Nehemiah’s prayer.  Obedience is the final principle that ties these all together.  Nehemiah prays:

“The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.  O Lord, please hear my prayer!  Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.”  (Nehemiah 1:10-11)

Nehemiah began by acknowledging that God is “the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands…”  (Nehemiah 1:5)  He ends his prayer by pointing out they are God’s servants and that they delight in honoring God.

When God’s people refused to pursue Him with fervency, acknowledge Him in humility and approach Him with faith, God did not hear their prayers and instead sent them away into exile. 

Romans 8:28 is a favorite verse for many.  Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  This verse does not promise that God causes everything to work together for the good of everybody.  Things did not work out for the good of Pharaoh.  Things did not work out well for Haman.  Things will not work out well for any persons who set themselves in opposition to God. 

The promise of Romans 8:28 is for those who love God.  Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.”  The requirement here is that one takes delight in the Lord.

When we love God and take delight in Him, obedience is a natural outgrowth of our relationship with Him.  We naturally love His commands and want to do what pleases Him.

When God’s children pursue Him with fervency, acknowledge him with humility, approach him and faith and love Him in obedience, He hears, He listens and He answers.

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI.  copyright 1985, 1995, 2002.  pg. 679

[iii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

[iv] The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer.  Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI.  copyright 1990. pg. 29