Tag: Nehemiah

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Tears of repentance and shouts of joy

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash

Once the walls of Jerusalem were repaired, Ezra publicly reads the scriptures (the Book of the Law of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) to a crowd gathered at the Water Gate. It was an emotional moment. “All the people wept as they heard the words of the Law” (Nehemiah 8:9).

I’m curious. When’s the last time you wept when you heard God’s word. How often do tears run down your cheeks during your morning devotion? Look around on Sunday morning. How many are weeping in church while scripture is read?

Why was this such an emotional moment in Jerusalem?

It’s been a long time since the last reading of scripture. These people have been in exile in Babylon for seventy years. Some in the crowd may have never heard God’s word before. The last time it was read may have been during Josiah’s reign in Judah, before the destruction of Jerusalem, nearly one hundred years ago. When King Josiah heard the words of a scroll they found when cleaning up the temple, he torn his clothes in grief and repentance, too (2 Chronicles 34).

When the word became flesh in the person of Jesus, some were brought to tears. A woman forgiven much would wet Jesus’ feet with her tears (Luke 7:38). Peter would weep bitterly after denying his Lord. Paul would write about admonishing the people in Ephesus with tears in his eyes (Acts 20:31). He wept as he wrote to the the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4). An encounter with the Lord who comes with great love can make us very aware of our great sin, which should touch our hearts in some way.

Apparently there was a little too much weeping as Ezra read. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the scribe had to tell everyone to cut it out. “Quit sobbing!” It’s a holy day, a “holiday,” and that calls for eating, drinking, and rejoicing. There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Plus, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Let’s circle back. When’s the last time you saw smiles and heard laughter when God’s word was read? Look around on Sunday morning. Is anyone filled with joy when the Lord speaks? Is anyone grinning or chuckling?

Why not? Okay, here’s a challenge. Let’s make an effort to respond to God’ word with tears of repentance or shouts of joy. I’m not talking about the sermon. Any preacher can stir emotions with stories and examples. If the reader stops and says, “Hey, can you tone it down a little,” you’re doing it right!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Not everybody who wants to be your friend should be your friend

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by NONRESIDENT on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Nehemiah 6.

My dog Winston (the White Westhighland Terrier) believe that everyone is his friend. His tail is up and wagging for the vet, the vet tech, the front desk receptionist at the vet, the Rottweiler who often walks by our house, the three little terriers who walk down the street, grandkids, in-laws, our small group, and anyone else who will let him jump up in their lap.

Nehemiah has gone out on a limb to ask for time off from his cupbearer job in Susa to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. It was a huge project, made more challenging by enemies who did everything they could to stop the work. Rather than taking an allowance, he fed hundreds of people at his own expense.

As the walls and gates near completion, a few of Nehemiah’s enemies try to buddy up to him. Four times Sanballat and Geshem invite him to a little get-together, and all four times, Nehemiah declines, answering, “I’m busy. I have a lot of work to do.”

He knows. He knows “they intended to do him harm” (Nehemiah 6:2). Nehemiah was loyal, brave, hard working, and discerning. He knows that not everyone who wants to be your friend should be your friend.

That last statement is hard. I don’t like that truth. I’ve always operated under the notion that if you want friends, you should be a friend. So if someone befriends you, you ought to welcome their friendship.

Many of you reading this have learned the hard way that this doesn’t always work out.

  • Some befriend us to take advantage of us. It’s just a matter of time before they ask for money.
  • Others want to be our friends so they can tell others that they are our friends. These folks will broadcast their relationship with us in their promotional material. Yes, I’ve had people join the church so they can add that to their resume.
  • Some will be friends for a while, but at some time and for some reason they will turn. They will turn on you, to make you the bad guy, so they look like the good guy.
  • There are those who jump into friendship, but immediately disappear into the ether. They literally disappear, and you never see them again.

By this time you’re thinking, “Wow, he’s gotten cynical.” You are right. And you’re thinking, “Yeah, I’ve had friends like that.” You’re also wondering, “So who should I be friends with?”

That is a very good question.

  • Don’t let betrayal, disappointment, or threats deter you. Just be a friend with anyone and everyone. The only way to know is to dive in and do it. You can’t predict who’s going to be a keeper and who you throw back.
  • Don’t expect too much from a friend. They will not live up to your expectations. No human does. They will let you down. Just remember: they are your friend.
  • Do invest a lot in friendship. You be the one who is there, who cares, who gives, who gives, who goes beyond expectations.

It’s a lot easier to make friends when you are in school. The friends I remember the best are from elementary, junior high, high school, and college. After that, it’s a lot harder. Why? I don’t know. It’s different when you’re an adult. But it’s no less important.

Must you be friends with everyone who befriends you? No. Be discerning. Be open to new friends. Be a friend. But sometimes it’s okay to walk away.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

He had my back

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Martin Podsiad on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Nehemiah 4.

Jack worked in a prison before he retired and moved to our community. He was a faithful member, always greeting folks as they arrived for worship, and serving as an usher. I had to remind him on several occasions, “These are members, not inmates.” Yeah, he got a little carried away sometimes.

That wasn’t always a bad thing. He worked part-time for the sheriff’s department serving warrants, so he had a badge. If a suspicious person came to the entrance of the church, he would simply hold his suit coat to the side, flash his badge, and ask, “How are you doing?” Message sent.

When Nehemiah supervised the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, there was plenty of opposition from the locals. When they slowed down the work, “Each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built” (Nehemiah 4:18). In other words, stand back, buddy.

I was thankful for guys like Jack who were watching the door while I led worship. In the course of a worship service, I could see everyone who came and went. But I knew he had my back.

Sometimes you’re working on faith. Sometimes you’ve got a weapon in your hand. Most of the time, it’s both.

But by the grace of God, we get the job done.

Posted in Advent devotions

God’s building project

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Di on Unsplash

Nehemiah didn’t have to say a word. The king could see it in his face. Nehemiah was upset about the ruined walls and burnt out gates of Jerusalem.

The king knew Nehemiah’s sadness wouldn’t go away all by itself. He asks Nehemiah, “What do you want?”

Nehemiah makes a big, bold ask. “Send me there to rebuild the city, and provide the resources to do it.” Amazingly, the king grants his request! Why? It was the hand of God (Nehemiah 1:8).

Despite the overwhelming task and local opposition, the people get the walls rebuilt in fifty-two days. I believe that’s pretty good when you consider they had no heavy equipment or power tools. Plus, they worked with tools and materials in one hand and a sword, spear, or bow in the other.

God tears down and repairs walls. In Ephesians 2, Paul describes how Jesus tore down dividing walls by his blood. Then, God puts up a new structure, a dwelling place for his Spirit, built with believers on the foundation of the prophetic and apostolic scriptures, “with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20,21). Against all odds and opposition, God builds his church, a place where our lives are safe and secure.

Nehemiah gets an ornament on the Jesse Tree, reminding us of God’s amazing construction project. If you’ve read this far, be sure to go listen to Gold City sing “God’s Building a Church.”

Posted in Ministry

What’s your part of the wall?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

broken-rampart-wall-sindhudurg-island-fortIn his book He Walks Among Us, Rich Stearns, president of World Vision, mentions the daunting task tackled by Nehemiah and those who returned to Jerusalem after exile in Babylon. The walls of the city had been destroyed many years before, but Nehemiah set out to make sure they were rebuilt. How in the world would they accomplish such a enormous task? Stearns writes

Nehemiah understood that great walls are repaired just one stone at a time, so he organized the people to each do their part: “Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house” (Nehemiah 3:28). The impossible task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was completed in fifty- two days because each person tackled the section of the wall that lay right in front of them (p. 40).

When there are billions of people living in poverty all over the world and thousands of children dying each day, what difference can any of us really make? Talk about a daunting task! Where would we even start?

Well, rather than feeling guilty or inadequate, we might want to ask the question, “What’s my part of the wall?” What opportunity has God placed before you to make a difference in what looks insignificant but is in reality a very important job? Who did you see with a need today? Whether in a far away place or across the street, that’s your part of the wall.

Stearns also quotes Oswald Chambers:

The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. Jesus took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet.

A great way to start each day – to remind ourselves of both God’s mercy and the needs around us – could be to ask, “What part of the wall do you want me to work on today?” I am sure the Lord will let you know!