Nehemiah Uses God's Tools

Read Nehemiah 12-13
 
Nehemiah 12:43 Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for boundless joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away.
 
WORSHIP is Jerusalem’s response to their God who had rebuilt their city. Jerusalem was again a place where God’s people can live in safety from  their enemies. God’s peace reigned. As we know, this occurred after many struggles, defeats and successes.
   Yes, there were many problems during the rebuilding. And even though the Jews dedicated their lives to follow God’s laws, they did not steadfastly live into their vows. When Nehemiah fulfilled his promise to King Artaxerxes to return to Susa, some people turned from God as their ancestors had done when Moses was on Mt. Sinai!
   They allowed the evil Tobias to use a Temple storeroom. the Levites were neglected. Sabbath laws were ignored. Men again had married foreign wives, and half their children could not understand the Hebrew language. How could they learn of God? What would a good leader do?
   The first thing Zechariah, the good leader, did on his return was to rebuke the Jews. Just as Moses’ anger burned when he saw Israel’s idolatry, Nehemiah was enraged and deeply frustrated. “Wasn’t this exactly what led King Solomon of Israel into sin? There was no king from any nation who could compare to him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel. But even he was led into sin by his foreign wives. How could you even think of committing this sinful deed and acting unfaithfully toward God by marrying foreign women?” Even more, we read that one of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest had married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, so I banished him from my presence. (13:28)
   This is proper discipline to remove the sin and to protect the whole. Thankfully, the Jews repented and once again committed their lives to be more pure.
   This is God’s Love Story to teach, rebuke, forgive and restore. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king. He was a picture of Jesus, our cupbearer. The Father released the Son to come to earth to rebuild our broken hearts, so we can love the LORD God. Then our Servant Savior bore the cup of suffering, so he could serve the Father with the Lamb’s blood poured out for your sins. Nehemiah’s loving grief took him to Jerusalem. Jesus’ loving grief took him to the cross.
   Know what God has done. Repent of your sins and take up the Spirit’s tools bestowed upon us. With faith, hope, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and worship, we may joyfully administer God’s love to mankind.
   I pray you understand how Nehemiah’s life is your example to faithfully live and lead for God’s salvation plan.