https://www.bible.com/events/49548305
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
Rebuilding: The Legacy of Nehemiah Part 2
Lament, Repent, and Rebuilding
Today are continuing our first teaching series for the new year called “Rebuilding: The Legacy of Nehemiah.”
To rebuild can mean to make extensive repairs, or to restore something back to a previous state. To simply build again.
Over the next few weeks we will dive deeper into the story of Nehemiah to gain insight and encouragement for our own rebuilding story.
When Nehemiah hears that things have fallen apart, he gets busy right away, but it’s not what you migh think.
Rather than bricks and mortar, Nehemiah begins the work of rebuilding by slowing down and spending time with the Lord before he ever lifts a brick.
He starts rebuilding with prayer, confession, and lament.
Nehemiah 1:1-3
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 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.”
The people are in great trouble and disgrace. They are ashamed of how it’s going, they are being harassed and heckled by their neighbors. The walls around the city of Jerusalem are still broken down and the wooden gates have been burned.
And this news is more than a deadline not being met, or a construction project failing. This news strikes deep in the heart of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
When it says he wept- It’s expressive of regret, disappointment, or bitterness. It’s ugly crying, ugly emotions, all expressed in the presence of the Lord.
It says he mourned- That is to show physical and emotional sorrow or regret. It has the idea of lament which is a passionate expression of grief and sorrow. He didn’t try to bottle it up inside, didn’t pretend he was tough and fine. He was honest with himself and the Lord about how he felt.
He fasted- He intentionally skipped eating so he could focus on prayer.
This critical work of rebuilding went on for 4 months.
Nehemiah 1:5-7
Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
As Nehemiah begins to put more articulate words to his mourning and grieving, he begins with worship.
He moves from worship to confession and repentance. Biblical confession is openly acknowledging the truth, admitting our sin and wrong, and ultimately seeing it through God’s perspective. It’s to agree with Him.
Nehemiah 1:8-11
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
As Nehemiah confesses sin, he turns and appeals to the nature and character of God as the great rebuilder of his people. He is calling back on the promises that he made to Moses, generations ago.
Nehemiah understands that God is a rebuilding God, and he is faithful. So Nehemiah’s prayers arent focused on his plans and what he wants- he is praying God’s promises. He has surrendered his desires and his plans for rebuilding to the Lord.
During this phase of rebuilding, Nehemiah did the important work of aligning his heart with the Lord. He challenges us to consider our response when things have fallen apart.
Will we rush into the rebuilding with our tools in hand, or will we turn to the the Lord for his rebuilding within us first?
This is the legacy of Nehemiah… Lament, Repent, Rebuild.