The Old Testament story of Nehemiah presents his account of life and service in the royal court of the Persian Emperor Artaxerxes around 445-444 B.C., and how, upon hearing of the plight of his fellow Jews as they were in the process of rebuilding Jerusalem along with a new Temple for the worship of the LORD, went before the LORD in prayer with a specific plan to assist them in their task and for everything necessary to accomplish it. His prayer was presented to the LORD in an attitude of faith, humbleness, and a cry for not just the forgiveness of His own sins, but that of the nation of Israel, which had been totally obliterated by the forces of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. The invasion and destruction of the Kingdom of Judah was both a judgment and punishment for the nation's sins and idolatry, along with the barbaric practices that accompanied it, such as child sacrifice, divination, witchcraft, demon worship, and the actions of wicked kings who ignored God's prophets or attempted to get rid of them. Prophets such as Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel had spent their lives warning the people to repent and get right with God or face the consequences, and most of them were rewarded with threats and martyrdom for the Word of the LORD.
The end of the historical book 2 Chronicles summarizes the sins of Israel and the seventy year period of exile they would face. The prophet Jeremiah instructed them to settle in Babylon and make a new life for themselves until the anointed time of return which by then would forever purge God's rebellious people from idolatrous worship and had given the land the Sabbath that God had told the Israelites to follow every seven years, but had neglected and refused to observe. In 538 B.C. the end of the Babylonian Empire came when the Medes and Persians under Cyrus and Darius captured Babylon and put and end to the life of Belshazzar, the acting ruler (Daniel 5). The Persian Empire lasted until 323 B.C., when it was conquered by the army of the Greek general/king Alexander the Great. Nehemiah's time in Persia was about a hundred or more years beforehand. A characteristic of the Persian Empire that was not part of other conquering kingdoms was that the Persian rulers allowed all conquered peoples to return to their ancient lands and resume their lives under the watch of local governors and officials appointed by the Emperor or his representative. Jews such as Nehemiah, were given the privilege to hold offices of high rank and authority in the Empire, and he held a high rank in the Imperial court as a personal servant to the Emperor. This position was not only honorable, but also a divine placement on the part of the LORD in order to fulfill His promises and the prophecies He had declared decades before to His people.
Nehemiah was most likely born when the Jews were under the rule of the Babylonians. He grew up hearing about the exploits of both good and evil kings which had ruled both the nations of Israel and Judah, and of the longings of the exiles to return home and rebuild the beloved city of Jerusalem (Psalm 137). As stated earlier, Nehemiah received word that all was not well in the old country. He was deeply grieved by what was happening and went before the LORD with a sense of sorrow and concern. When we read Chapter 1 of Nehemiah's story and the first eleven verses, he presents a prayer before God that is an excellent pattern for addressing our own needs, burdens, and concerns. He was sure, as we should be, that there is nothing that our great God cannot handle. It is worth our time to read what Nehemiah did in that atmosphere of trust and faith.
We are to focus on the LORD and not the problem (1:5). Nehemiah presents characteristics of God that deserve our attention. He is, first, self-existent, LORD of all, and cannot be thwarted, deterred, or stopped by anything we may say or do. He is the Sovereign Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns over us with absolute control, power, authority, and affection. He is great and infinite, perfect in all Being and fills the whole of creation with HIs majesty and glory. He is the God dreaded and feared by His enemies and revered by His elect and is forever faithful in His obligations. Our thoughts about God are to be founded upon the authority and truth of HIs Word (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21), and not upon what we or anyone may say or think about Him or what you might have read or heard from non-believing, non-Scriptural sources.
Nehemiah gave a lot of time in his prayer to confess not just his sins, but also that of the nation (1:6-7) and of the events that brought it about. The people of Israel had not always shown thanks for all of the blessings and protection God had given to them in their history. When studying the events recorded in Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, there are periods of devotion and deviancy on the part of Israel and their relationship with God. For most of their existence they rebelled and resisted Him and His commandments even when He clearly showed His powers in rescuing them, protecting them, and instructing them. He warned them of the consequences they would face as a nation for their disobedience just before they came out of the wilderness to enter the Promised Land (Leviticus 26; Joshua 1). This warning came to pass when God had them cast into exile after years of willful disobedience and rebellion.
Nehemiah identified himself with the nation concerning its past sins. While not personally guilty of the idolatry that crushed their nation, he still saw himself as a product of Israel's past wickedness and its results. He was aware of not just the nation's sins, but his own as well, just as Isaiah the prophet had when he faced the LORD's glory in the Temple and became terrified at the thought of his own wickedness and need for atonement before the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:1-8). Unlike the lack of reverence and awe we see in not just this godless world but also in a lot of what passes for "worship" in churches today, Isaiah knew that he was a "man of unclean lips" and as nothing before the Sovereign LORD.
It is easy to cry out for national revival, but it really starts with the need for God to cleanse our own wicked hearts that are in constant need of personal renewal, dedication, and love for Him that is lacking at that moment. Spiritual courage starts with facing our own sinfulness and rebellion towards God. We need to confess our sins before Him and follow HIs direction and will. We will confess that Jesus Christ is on the throne of our lives. but there are times when we would like for Him to move over so we can add our own insight and suggest to Him how things ought to be done. Really? Are you that arrogant? Why do you think Paul wrote abut the need to crucify our flesh daily (Romans 6:6, 8:13, 13:14; Galatians 5;24)? If we had the ability to work out everything together perfectly in our own strength and atone for our own sins, Jesus' whole purpose for being here would have been for nothing (Ephesians 2:8-9). Any righteousness we think we have is no better than a filthy menstrual rag (Isaiah 64:6). We are dead in sin, able to do nothing but rot and stink apart from the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:6-11).
This is one of many reasons for the downward spiral in which the world finds itself. Nobody wants to admit they are wrong or want to take responsibility for their own deeds (Judges 21:25). If you want to put up an argument to the contrary, then just listen to the pundits, politicians, and internet trolls blame everyone except themselves for what is going on today (Romans 3:10-18). Listen to the constant whining of much of this present generation as they cry for ridiculous demands such as campus "safe spaces" and to "cancel" anyone who does not march in lock step with their opinions and worldview, as if they had the corner on ideas and the authority as to who can and cannot speak their peace. Read Genesis 3 and look at what happened to our first parents, Adam and Eve. After they sinned, did they appear before God in repentance and sorrow for what they had done, or to reassure one another that they were in this together? Not at that moment. Their "blame game" started immediately after God confronted them. Adam blamed God for Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for being tempted. This pattern of behavior has never changed since dirt was invented. You jolly well know it because you have played it sometime in the past or even today as you are reading this. Be honest. None of these troubles will come to an end until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this broken world where He will make all things new as He promised.
A readiness to confront sin is one of the marks of spiritual maturity. As Nehemiah continued his prayer, he also remembered Israel's relationship with God (v.9), troubles and all. The requests he brought before the LORD were sincere and from the heart. The situation the returning Jews faced resettling in the former nation of Israel was a matter of urgency, and Nehemiah's prayers were key in seeing that the rebuilding of Jerusalem was certain and that he would be a part of that plan. His intercession before the LORD was also the means by which he secured permission and materials for the project by none other than Artaxerxes himself (Nehemiah 2:1-8). This was a blessing that Nehemiah did not expect, but later saw as another answer to his prayer. His prayers were not mere general statements and vague ramblings. He was very precise and particular when he brought his burden before God. He had devised a well-structured plan of action and humbly requested the blessing of God to carry it out. He knew this prayer would be confirmed and would take time for all events to come into place. This tells us that it is all right to specify what you need or request of the LORD, founded upon His will and terms. We are to pray for clarity when we do not have any idea of what to say. Put what you have read thus far into action. What specific prayer do you have to bring before God? is it for the salvation of a friend or loved one? A job that is in line with your talents and skills? Do you have particular burdens for others or situations that you might face? Take them to the LORD in prayer, just as the old hymn advises us to do. We do have a friend in Jesus, now and forever. He's waiting to hear from you.
