And the moral of the story is… God always wins!
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 30, 2009
Surprise, Surprise! God wins another battle. In this final part of my five part series on Nehemiah, we will take a look at what led to his success in restoring dignity for God’s people.
It was a bad day for Israel in 605 B.C. when Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. This happened twice more over the next several years. Judah’s most prominent, intelligent, and powerful were hauled into exile in Babylon (modern-day Iraq). But after about 150 years, Nehemiah came on the scene. He was serving as the cupbearer to the new world power, King Artaxerxes of Susa (modern-day Iran).
Nehemiah received the news that Jerusalem, the centerpiece of Jewish pride lay in ruin, with its walls torn down and gates burned. He sat down, wept, mourned and fasted for days, prayed, then approached the king to get permission to go back to his homeland to rebuild the wall and gates, and restore dignity to the Jewish people.
Let’s read. "So the wall was completed on the 25th of Elul, in 52 days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." (Neh. 6:15-16)
Isn’t it amazing that the nation of Israel made the same mistakes over and over, and then in the end it was always the same thing that rescued them from their consequences? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? I mean, it had been 150 years since the Jews were exiled into Babylon. God delivered them into the hands of the enemy because of their disobedience. And even though by Nehemiah’s time many Jews had already been allowed to return home, damage to the Jerusalem wall and gates had already been done. The once great city lay in ruin and disgrace.
But as with any great challenge or obstacle, it often only takes one person to start a cycle of encouragement that results in a complete turnaround. That was the case for Nehemiah. That’s also the case for us. We often simply need to be reminded of where we need to turn to find answers to life’s problems. But it has to start with somebody who is willing to stand up for God.
The month of Elul referred to in the above passage is the sixth month of the Jewish religious calendar. This comes to mind as I write this article in the month of June. For Jews, Elul is known as the month of repentance, divine mercy, and forgiveness since there are no festivals or feast days during Elul. For Christians, repentance, recognition of God’s mercy, and thankfulness of God’s forgiveness and forgiving others should be part of our daily life.
May God bless our homes and community as we strive to have the courage of Nehemiah in seeking God’s help to encourage others to make a difference where it counts. (end)
Welcome to my bulletin article site. What I do is minister to young Christians, their families, their friends, and others in the Fort Gibson, OK area. So check-in every now and then, and I'll try to have an encouraging word for you.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Teamwork is key to facing challenges
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 23, 2009
This section of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah no doubt inspired the writers of the New Testament on the topic of unity and teamwork. Nehemiah received the horrible news of the destruction of Jerusalem’s wall and gates. He mourned, fasted, prayed to God, received permission from the king to inspect the wall for himself, and he successfully challenged the locals to help re-build the wall by reminding them of the disgrace and encouraging them with accounts of how God had blessed his efforts so far.
In part four of my series on Nehemiah, we will take a look at Nehemiah’s plan to re-build the wall and gates of Jerusalem and restore the dignity of God’s people, the Jews.
“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them!” (Neh. 3:1-2)
This is just a small portion of the scripture detailing who built what. The point I want you to get is that the Jewish people had a common goal. And even though they were from all walks of life, they each had a job to do that was equally important as the next guy’s. When they received threats, they watched out for each other. At least for a time, half the people built, while the other half stood guard, especially at the low points of the wall and near families.
This is also the way a church family is supposed to operate. Let’s read what Paul says in Romans 12:4-6. “Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…” Paul also says in Galatians 6:2 to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
We will all experience low points in life when the devil is trying to knock us down. That’s when we need a Christian brother or sister to help guard our section of the wall. And depending on the kind of attack, we may need to call on a brother or sister who has talents in a particular area such as prayer, listening, encouragement, teaching, or serving. The point is that we can all be used to God’s glory in overcoming the devil’s schemes.
Next week in the final part of my series, we will look at Nehemiah’s victory. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 23, 2009
This section of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah no doubt inspired the writers of the New Testament on the topic of unity and teamwork. Nehemiah received the horrible news of the destruction of Jerusalem’s wall and gates. He mourned, fasted, prayed to God, received permission from the king to inspect the wall for himself, and he successfully challenged the locals to help re-build the wall by reminding them of the disgrace and encouraging them with accounts of how God had blessed his efforts so far.
In part four of my series on Nehemiah, we will take a look at Nehemiah’s plan to re-build the wall and gates of Jerusalem and restore the dignity of God’s people, the Jews.
“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them!” (Neh. 3:1-2)
This is just a small portion of the scripture detailing who built what. The point I want you to get is that the Jewish people had a common goal. And even though they were from all walks of life, they each had a job to do that was equally important as the next guy’s. When they received threats, they watched out for each other. At least for a time, half the people built, while the other half stood guard, especially at the low points of the wall and near families.
This is also the way a church family is supposed to operate. Let’s read what Paul says in Romans 12:4-6. “Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…” Paul also says in Galatians 6:2 to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
We will all experience low points in life when the devil is trying to knock us down. That’s when we need a Christian brother or sister to help guard our section of the wall. And depending on the kind of attack, we may need to call on a brother or sister who has talents in a particular area such as prayer, listening, encouragement, teaching, or serving. The point is that we can all be used to God’s glory in overcoming the devil’s schemes.
Next week in the final part of my series, we will look at Nehemiah’s victory. (end)
The challenge to change needs help from God
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 16, 2009
In the first two parts of my series on Nehemiah, we have seen that he had to face disappointment and heartache. These are challenges we still face today. In Nehemiah’s case, the problem was that the wall of Jerusalem had been broken down and the gates burned during the time of the Jewish exile to Babylon in about 600 B.C. This was a disgrace to the Jews since Jerusalem was a great part of their dignity and identity. When Nehemiah heard the news of the destruction, he was broken-hearted, he sat down, mourned and fasted for days, prayed, and then went before the king to get permission to survey the land firsthand.
So, in part three we will take a look at Nehemiah’s next move. With a fire lit under him having witnessed the scene for himself, he went to all the locals in Jerusalem who would be helping with the re-building and gave them a challenge.
“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’” (Neh. 2:17)
As with any presentation given by a motivational speaker, the one doing the talking has to feel passionate about the topic. Nehemiah wanted change. So how did he motivate the people to help? He did his homework and knew what he was talking about. He spoke with confidence and reminded the people of what was at stake. And he told them about his relationship with God, and about everything the Lord had done so far to bless his efforts. But as with every challenge, there is a counter-challenge. After the people got on board, trouble came in the form of three men who mocked, ridiculed, made threats, and started rumors. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Gesham were determined to stop Nehemiah from restoring the dignity of the Jewish people.
As you are reading this, I will be in Santa Monica, Mexico near Monterrey with the rest of our mission team from the Fort Gibson Church of Christ. We will be helping construct a church building there. This situation is not unlike that of Nehemiah’s time. A weakened government and powerful drug cartels have made parts of Mexico unstable. However, our efforts to build church buildings in several Mexican towns continue to be successful only because God has responded to many prayers from people right here in Fort Gibson. Without God’s help, any nation including Mexico is destined for failure. In fact, without God, any individual is also destined for failure, and people are what make up nations.
Remember the word of the apostle Paul in Colossians 2:6-7. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Next week in part four, we will take a look at Nehemiah’s plan of action for rebuilding the Jerusalem wall. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 16, 2009
In the first two parts of my series on Nehemiah, we have seen that he had to face disappointment and heartache. These are challenges we still face today. In Nehemiah’s case, the problem was that the wall of Jerusalem had been broken down and the gates burned during the time of the Jewish exile to Babylon in about 600 B.C. This was a disgrace to the Jews since Jerusalem was a great part of their dignity and identity. When Nehemiah heard the news of the destruction, he was broken-hearted, he sat down, mourned and fasted for days, prayed, and then went before the king to get permission to survey the land firsthand.
So, in part three we will take a look at Nehemiah’s next move. With a fire lit under him having witnessed the scene for himself, he went to all the locals in Jerusalem who would be helping with the re-building and gave them a challenge.
“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’” (Neh. 2:17)
As with any presentation given by a motivational speaker, the one doing the talking has to feel passionate about the topic. Nehemiah wanted change. So how did he motivate the people to help? He did his homework and knew what he was talking about. He spoke with confidence and reminded the people of what was at stake. And he told them about his relationship with God, and about everything the Lord had done so far to bless his efforts. But as with every challenge, there is a counter-challenge. After the people got on board, trouble came in the form of three men who mocked, ridiculed, made threats, and started rumors. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Gesham were determined to stop Nehemiah from restoring the dignity of the Jewish people.
As you are reading this, I will be in Santa Monica, Mexico near Monterrey with the rest of our mission team from the Fort Gibson Church of Christ. We will be helping construct a church building there. This situation is not unlike that of Nehemiah’s time. A weakened government and powerful drug cartels have made parts of Mexico unstable. However, our efforts to build church buildings in several Mexican towns continue to be successful only because God has responded to many prayers from people right here in Fort Gibson. Without God’s help, any nation including Mexico is destined for failure. In fact, without God, any individual is also destined for failure, and people are what make up nations.
Remember the word of the apostle Paul in Colossians 2:6-7. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Next week in part four, we will take a look at Nehemiah’s plan of action for rebuilding the Jerusalem wall. (end)
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Successful grieving takes time and technique
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 9, 2009
Last week in part one of five articles on Nehemiah, we looked at a serious problem being faced by the Jews in about 450 B.C. The walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and its gates had been burned by the Babylonians. The centerpiece of Jewish civilization had been shattered, its dignity destroyed. But now that the Medo-Persians (modern-day Iran) were in control, exiled Jews such as Nehemiah were being allowed to go back to their homeland only to be horrified by the destruction. This week, we’re going to take a look at Nehemiah’s reaction to the news he received about Jerusalem.
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Neh. 2:4)
This was no doubt an unusual sight considering the fact that Nehemiah held the very important position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. This would be about the same as turning on the news and seeing one of the President’s cabinet members sitting on the front lawn of the White House, crying, refusing to eat, and praying. Any witnesses must have been alarmed as to what could have brought such a powerful man to his knees. Other biblical accounts of mourning also involve sitting in the dust, and putting on sack cloth and ashes (Jonah 3:6, Jeremiah 6:26, Ezekiel 27:30).
The point is Nehemiah knew what it felt like to be saddened and even humiliated. Nehemiah’s reaction is a great model for us to follow. He didn’t brush it off and say, “Oh well!” or “Times change!” or “It’s not my problem!” He reacted appropriately. He sat down and wept. He took time to think about the seriousness of the situation for his people. He did without food for a time presumably so he could stay focused on the crisis at hand. Most importantly, he took his concerns before the Lord in prayer, and he confessed that his sins and the sins of his people, the Israelites were what led to their sad state of affairs. After praying to God, Nehemiah went before the king and received permission to go to Jerusalem to survey the devastation firsthand.
One thing Nehemiah had going for him is that he knew very well the agreement God had made with the Israelites. That if they would only return to God and obey his commands, the Lord would once again bless them.
Most of us will experience some degree of sadness and humiliation in this life whether self-inflicted or not. That’s a given. We live in a broken world. The question is how to react to bad news or bad circumstances. Reading God’s word will re-acquaint you with people from long ago who dealt with similar circumstances, how they got into their predicaments, and how it was resolved. Then taking your grief before the Lord will result in peace and comfort, and will give you wisdom and direction as to your next move. We will take a look at Nehemiah’s next move in part three. (end)
by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 9, 2009
Last week in part one of five articles on Nehemiah, we looked at a serious problem being faced by the Jews in about 450 B.C. The walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and its gates had been burned by the Babylonians. The centerpiece of Jewish civilization had been shattered, its dignity destroyed. But now that the Medo-Persians (modern-day Iran) were in control, exiled Jews such as Nehemiah were being allowed to go back to their homeland only to be horrified by the destruction. This week, we’re going to take a look at Nehemiah’s reaction to the news he received about Jerusalem.
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Neh. 2:4)
This was no doubt an unusual sight considering the fact that Nehemiah held the very important position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. This would be about the same as turning on the news and seeing one of the President’s cabinet members sitting on the front lawn of the White House, crying, refusing to eat, and praying. Any witnesses must have been alarmed as to what could have brought such a powerful man to his knees. Other biblical accounts of mourning also involve sitting in the dust, and putting on sack cloth and ashes (Jonah 3:6, Jeremiah 6:26, Ezekiel 27:30).
The point is Nehemiah knew what it felt like to be saddened and even humiliated. Nehemiah’s reaction is a great model for us to follow. He didn’t brush it off and say, “Oh well!” or “Times change!” or “It’s not my problem!” He reacted appropriately. He sat down and wept. He took time to think about the seriousness of the situation for his people. He did without food for a time presumably so he could stay focused on the crisis at hand. Most importantly, he took his concerns before the Lord in prayer, and he confessed that his sins and the sins of his people, the Israelites were what led to their sad state of affairs. After praying to God, Nehemiah went before the king and received permission to go to Jerusalem to survey the devastation firsthand.
One thing Nehemiah had going for him is that he knew very well the agreement God had made with the Israelites. That if they would only return to God and obey his commands, the Lord would once again bless them.
Most of us will experience some degree of sadness and humiliation in this life whether self-inflicted or not. That’s a given. We live in a broken world. The question is how to react to bad news or bad circumstances. Reading God’s word will re-acquaint you with people from long ago who dealt with similar circumstances, how they got into their predicaments, and how it was resolved. Then taking your grief before the Lord will result in peace and comfort, and will give you wisdom and direction as to your next move. We will take a look at Nehemiah’s next move in part three. (end)
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