When I Heard, I Wept and Prayed
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
3/1/2015 PM
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Text:
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Nehemiah 1:3-8
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Psalters: |
131, 379, 21, 368 |
- Sad setting.
- Nehemiah came to Jerusalem around 445 BC, about 90 year after the first captives returned and 13 years after Ezra.
- Who is Nehemiah?
- He held the very prestigious position of cupbearer for Artaxerses, king of Persia, and lived in the palace in Shushan.
- His heart was in Judah, though he did not take part in any of the opportunities to return to Canaan.
- Nehemiah’s response was that he was shattered and began a lengthy time of weeping, fasting, and praying.
- First, consider the distressing news Nehemiah received.
- The people were “in great affliction” (serious distress, misery and adversity) “and reproach” (shame and disgrace).
- The walls of Jerusalem represented the spiritual safety of God’s people (cf. Ps. 48:2,12,13; Isa. 26:1; 60:18).
- Such a response by Nehemiah could only be because the condition of the church militant was the love of his heart.
- This led to Nehemiah praying for a lengthy amount of time (three months) with intensity and sincerity!
- Note that the summary of his prayers indicate that he drew ideas from Moses, Solomon, David, Daniel and Ezra.
- First, he declared God’s greatness and his dependence on God.
- We are to learn some powerful lessons.
- Nehemiah was motivated by love for the church of Christ, not by selfish gains or the pleasures of this life.
- Nehemiah thought corporately, i.e., covenantally, not independently.
- Nehemiah reminded himself that his God is the great sovereign, the “God of heaven” who is “the great and terrible God.”