Saturday, October 4, 2008

Nehemiah, a man of prayer!

As we study the book of Nehemiah in Sunday School I have found something very cool about this great man. He was an absolute MAN OF PRAYER!
He prayed before EVERY decision, EVERYTHING he did as he led the Remnant of Israel back to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the city walls.
Look at these verses from the Book, reminder that the book was written by Ezra, as he said: "the words of Nehemiah".
1:4 - For some days I mourned and fasted and PRAYED before the God of Heaven.
4:4 - Hear us, O our God, for we are despised.
4:9 - But we PRAYED to our God.
5:19 - Remember me with favor O my God, for all I have done for these people.
6:9 - But I PRAYED, now strengthen my hands.
6:14 - O my God, because of what they have done.
13:14 - Remember me for this O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done...
13:22 - Remember me for this, O my God, and show mercy to me....
13:29 - Remember them, O my God, .......
13: 31 - Remember me with favor, O my God!

So, we see that not only was he a man of prayer, but he has such a close and personal relationship with God that he consistently says: "MY GOD".
Read the rest of Nehemiah and you see that God was faithful not only to Nehemiah, but also to the Remnant, as they were blessed through Nehemiah's faith in prayer!
That is a wonderful example for us!
Nehemiah's obedience, led to direct blessing by God.
Look also at his complete understanding of WHO God is:
1:5 - O Lord, God of Heaven, the Great and Awesome God.
These are not random words, this is true FEAR of God, the kind of FEAR that we are to have, which is an awesome sense of wonder and awe.
We often hear preachers, pastors etc, preach on the LOVE OF GOD or Jesus, but not often do we hear our nessecity for the FEAR of God. Nehemiah understood that.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Bill thank you for your obedience to God. For studing the Bible and teaching us what God has laid on your heart. It is people like you that He uses for His Glory.

Praise God!

Amen