The city of God, Jerusalem, was destroyed by Assyria, her
walls torn down, God’s Temple sacked, the best and brightest taken into
captivity. Most people concluded that life
as they had known it was over; except
for a tiny remnant of the faith-filled who believed God’s promises. Are you part of God’s faith-filled, praying
for our broken world, praying for more than the old normal, but rather for a
true spiritual renewal?
God called a man to lead that remnant, to pull together
their efforts. His name? Nehemiah. He was a Jewish man, living in exile, the
‘cupbearer’ to the king in Babylon. He got word of the crisis back in the land of
his fathers. "They said to me,
“Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble
and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been
burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some
days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."
(Nehemiah 1:3-4, NIV) He wept. He
grieved. He engaged. He prayed! THEN, he
acted.
What a story it is. (Suggested read – Nehemiah
1 and 2) I’ll skip some of the
intermediate details. When he got to Jerusalem, he took time to survey the
project, to gain understanding. Only then did he share God’s vision with
others. "Then I said to them, “You
see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been
burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no
longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon
me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.”
So they began this good work." (Nehemiah 2:17-18, NIV) It was no walk in the park, but he got the
job done. What an inspiration!
How can we become rebuilders in this broken world, even of our
own lives that have been left in disarray?
First- GET God’s Vision!
He has a plan for your life. Vision, ‘seeing’ what the future
can be, is basic for change. Getting a vision and committing to it makes moving
mountains possible. Be sure to prayerfully discern between YOUR dream and GOD’S
vision. He is not obligated to fund your dream but He will resource us to
complete His vision.
Second- Assess the Challenges!
What seems important to you or me may not be God’s first
line concern. He desires more for us than simply restoring our prosperity or
letting us become comfortable once again. What is the real challenge that needs
to be met? It is not always obvious and the answers are not often easy.
Third- Build your team!
Never underestimate the importance of being part of a group
of people who share vision. Nehemiah had many people that he brought into his
circle who put the pieces of the vision into place. Take care not to confuse
competence with character. Surround yourself with those who truly desire God,
who are engaged in ‘seeking first the kingdom
of God.’
Fourth- Gather resources!
What has God asked of you?
As you know that, take this Word Truth and live it. "But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19,
KJV) He has the right people to be on your team. He has the right plan, a rich
store of wisdom, and the Spirit’s gift that will keep us going. Will we access
those resources or attempt to fulfil the vision on our own? The work of God can
only be accomplished in the strength of the Lord.
Fifth- Start!
Today’s opportunities will not return tomorrow. Are you doing something, making the effort,
moving forward in spite of obstacles?
You have to love the pithy wisdom of Proverbs - "A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of
the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will
attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:10-11, NLT) Rebuilding
will not just happen while we sit around singing. Too many Americans have
turned into professional victims waiting for someone to rescue them, to feed
them, to soothe their troubled minds. God give us courage to stand up and
start. By the way, Nehemiah was not
everybody’s hero! His efforts were
lauded by some but he felt the sting of critics’ words. IF you stand up,
someone, perhaps many, will try to shoot you down.
Let’s get serious with God in prayer, inviting the Holy
Spirit to show us a new vision – for ourselves, our families, our churches, our
nation, our world. Let’s offer up our
lives to serve as re-builders who create beauty for the glory of God.
The word from the Word is a favorite of mine. Let’s take this
promise and commit to getting to work.
"Now to Him who
is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians
3:20-21, NIV)
____________
Still
Rolling Stones
(Lauren Daigle inspires!)
(Lauren Daigle inspires!)
Out of the shadows
Bound for the gallows
A dead man walking
'Til love came calling
Rise up rise up
Six feet under
I thought it was over
An answer to prayer
The voice of a Savior
Rise up rise up
All at once
I came alive
This beating heart
These open eyes
The grave let go
The darkness should have known
You're still rolling stones
You're still rolling stones
Now that You saved me
I sing 'cause You gave me
A song of revival
I put it on vinyl
Rise up rise up
I once was blinded
But now I see it
I've heard about the power
And now I believe it
Rise up rise up
I thought that I was too far gone
For everything I've done wrong
Yeah I'm the one who dug this grave
But You called my name
You called my name
Oh You're still rolling stones (2X)
You're still rolling rolling (2X)
You're still rolling stones
Jason Ingram | Lauren Daigle | Paul Duncan | Paul Mabury
© 2018 Centricity Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG
Publishing)
CentricSongs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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