Tues.’s Devo - Rebuilding the Wall

Read: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4 Nehemiah was the cup bearer to King Artexerxes which was a most trusted and honored position. He kept the king from being poisoned which meant he tasted his wine first and was willing to die for the king. It would be like the secret service for the President today. While Nehemiah enjoyed the luxury and privileges of the palace, his heart was in the settlement of Jerusalem. When he got news that things were not going well in Jerusalem and its walls and gates had been torn down leaving it defenseless, he mourned, fasted and prayed. His prayer started out with repentance for himself, his family and his nation. He reminded God of his promise to bring them back to Jerusalem if they repented and honored his namesake. In the month of Passover, Nehemiah asked the king if he could go to Jerusalem and help rebuild the wall. The king listened to his plan and gave him his blessings and sent him with provision and security. He was met by three adversaries: Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. The first two names mean opposites. Sanballat means “hatred” and Tobiah means “the goodness of God”. Through their hatred the people would see the goodness of God. Geshem’s name means “rain”. They were definitely trying to bring rain to their plans. They were very upset that someone was coming to help the people of Israel. At first they tried to intimidate them and question their authority. They accused them of rebelling against the king who had given them permission to be there. Nehemiah didn’t pull the ‘king card’ but instead answered that God, not the king would be the one to help them. He told them what he was going to do which was to rebuild the wall and he told them that they had no share, legal right or historic claim in Jerusalem. They were the ones who didn’t have the authority to be there. Then, with the high priest leading, they began to rebuild the wall. The people, in their assigned section, went about building the wall. There were goldsmiths, perfumers, women, and people from all walks of life, working with one mind to build the wall. In Corinthians, it is helpful to know that in their time, it was unheard of that one woman could be enough for their desires. Divorce and sexual promiscuity was a way of life so what Jesus and Paul preached about having one husband and one wife was radical. Salvation was new so many became Christians when their spouses were not. Paul addressed this telling them that if their unbelieving spouse wanted to remain married to them, they should. By wanting to stay with a believer, they are showing that their heart could be changed. Marriage is a covenant that should not be broken unless God breaks it. Paul concluded his sermon with the call to remain in whatever situation you were in when you got saved whether married or a slave. Now you are the Lord’s and he will move you wherever he wants you to go. Lord, help us to remember that we were bought by You and belong to You. You have the master plan and we trust your plan.