This sermon explores how prayer, perseverance, and accountability can help us rebuild the broken walls in our lives, drawing lessons from Nehemiah's example.
Good morning, dear friends. There's a certain comfort in the familiar, isn't there? The feel of your favorite worn-out Bible in your hands, the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, the sound of our beloved hymns echoing through the sanctuary. The familiarity of our shared faith is a balm for the soul, a steady rock in the tumultuous sea of life. Yet, there is always something new to glean from the Word of God, always a fresh perspective to be found, always a deeper understanding to be gained.
Today, we find ourselves in the book of Nehemiah, specifically chapter 4, verses 7 to 15. Allow me to read for us: "But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. Then the people of Judah began to complain, 'The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.' Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, 'Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.' The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, 'They will come from all directions and attack us!' So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows. Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, 'Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!'"
This passage, my friends, speaks volumes about the power of prayer, the necessity of perseverance, and the importance of accountability in our spiritual lives. As we look at these verses, we see a blueprint for how we, too, can rebuild the broken walls in our own lives and communities.
In the midst of the rubble and ruin, Nehemiah and his people turned to prayer. They didn't just mutter a few words and get to work. No, they fervently sought the Lord, pouring out their hearts and their fears before Him. They understood that their strength and their success depended not on their own abilities, but on the power and provision of God.
Prayer was not an afterthought or a last resort. It was their first line of defense. It was their pillar, their foundation. It was the bedrock upon which they stood as they faced the daunting task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. And it was the lifeline that connected them to the One who could give them the wisdom, the courage, and the strength they needed to carry out the work.
Now, let's consider the role of prayer in our own lives. Like Nehemiah and his people, we too face challenges and obstacles. We too have walls to rebuild, whether they be walls of broken relationships, walls of lost faith, or walls of personal failure. And like Nehemiah and his people, we too need to make prayer our pillar, our foundation.
Firstly, prayer is our communication with God. It's how we express our needs, our fears, our hopes, and our desires. It's how we seek His guidance and His wisdom. It's how we draw near to Him and experience His presence. In the midst of our struggles and our challenges, prayer is our lifeline to the One who can give us the strength and the courage we need to rebuild.
Secondly, prayer is our declaration of dependence on God. When we pray, we acknowledge that we can't do it on our own. We admit that we need His help, His strength, His wisdom. We confess that without Him, we can do nothing. In the face of our challenges and obstacles, prayer is our humble admission that we need God.
Thirdly, prayer is our act of faith. When we pray, we demonstrate our belief in God's power and His promises. We express our trust in His ability to help us, to guide us, to provide for us. We affirm our confidence in His goodness, His faithfulness, His love. Amid our doubts and our fears, prayer is our bold proclamation of faith in God.
Lastly, prayer is our weapon against the enemy. When we pray, we engage in spiritual warfare. We resist the devil and his schemes. We fight against the lies, the temptations, the accusations he throws at us. We stand firm in the truth of God's Word and the power of His Spirit. In the battle for our hearts and our minds, prayer is our mighty weapon.
In the face of our challenges and obstacles, let us follow the example of Nehemiah and his people. Let us make prayer our pillar, our foundation. Let us seek the Lord with all our hearts, trusting in His power, His wisdom, and His love. And let us stand firm in the truth of His Word, resisting the enemy and his schemes. For with God on our side, we can rebuild the walls. We can overcome. We can prevail.
As we move forward from the foundation of prayer, we find ourselves facing the daunting task of rebuilding ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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