Read: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4
Nehemiah lived in the palace and was the cupbearer to the king of Persia. He was a devout Jew who overheard two men talking in Hebrew about Jerusalem. They told him about how the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates burned. This news was so sad to Nehemiah that he fasted and prayed to the Lord. He reminded God of his promise to gather his people and bring them back to the place he had set for them which was Jerusalem.
When it was time to bring the king his wine, Nehemiah couldn’t put on a happy face and the king noticed. When he asked him why he was so sad, Nehemiah told him his burden for his people in Jerusalem. The king asked him what he wanted and Nehemiah asked for permission to go back and help them rebuild their wall. The king sent him with his blessing, letters to the governors there and supplies to rebuild.
When he got there, he went out at night to see the condition of the wall. Once he saw the damage, he approached the Jews living there and told him his plan. They were delighted with his plan and set out to divide the wall into parts and assigned them to different families. Everyone was glad except for Sanballat and Tobiah who were enemies to the Jews and didn’t want to see their welfare change for the good. Sanballat means “hatred in secret” although he didn’t remain secret about it. Tobiah means “the goodness of God”.
There are always enemies of God’s people and their hatred can bring out the goodness of God. When someone rises up against us and we call out to the Lord, he answers and saves us by his goodness.
Paul speaks on marriage which is always controversial. The bottom line is to let love rule over everything.
Our Psalm speaks of God’s goodness also. It is stored up for us who take our refuge in the Lord.
Thank you Lord. We bless our enemies and turn them over to you. May your goodness flow to your people.
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