[img]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/myalbum/photos/1514.jpg[/img]"They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me." - Nehemiah 4:17-18Something brought this to mind this afternoon, and then this picture came up in the random photo. I think there is something significant for us in this passage, for those of us who want to see the broken down walls of Zion re-built and the Ark of God, His manifest glory and His presence in the midst of His people again.
_________________Christopher Joel Dandrow
Brother Chris, thanks for posting this picture...it's a really neat picture. Nehemiah is one of my favorite passages in relation to revival and the church. I think there is a lot of meat in this passage...I feel like I've just started gleaning from it.Last night I sat down and started reading through Nehemiah 4...I only made it part way but here are some of my gleanings:[i]But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. Neh. 4:1[/i]We know were doing the right thing, building the right wall when the enemy is wroth and mocks us. We should take courage when attack comes.[i]And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Neh. 4:1 [/i]Feeble Jews God uses the weak and despised. [i]But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 1 Cor. 1:27.[/i] Also 2 Cor. 12:9-10, in our weakness God is made strong.In the eyes of the onlookers this was a foolish enterprise the Jews were undertaking I love this question, [i]will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?[/i] It seems like such an impossible thing, but with God all things are impossible! It is time for the Church to be revived. We are [i] as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5.[/i] What is the state of these stones today? Are there not many defeated and lukewarm Christians sitting on piles of rubbish needing to be revived?[i]Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. Neh. 4:3.[/i] These words are spoken in derision but they hold truth. Song of Solomon says, [i]Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15.[/i] It is the little things that creep in and undermine the work. In Nehemiah 4:11, [i]And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.[/i] [i]Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. Neh. 4:4-5[/i]This is such a neat prayer. Does anyone have any insight on [i]for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.?[/i][i]So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Neh. 4:6 [/i]A mind to work [i]But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. Neh. 4:7-9[/i]The enemy plans attack. They prayed and set a watch. Are we praying and watching out for one another?[i]And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. Neh. 4:12 [/i]Pessimists who considered the power of the enemy to be greater than the power of God are our eyes on the difficulties or on God?That's as far as I got...maybe someone else has some insight into this passage?
a picture says more then a thousand words....
_________________CHRISTIAN
Good morning all.Roniya, thank you for sharing. :-) Hopefully we can look into this more and see what all may be speaking to us.Coming back to this briefly...[i]But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.[/i]I wanted to share a couple things in connection with rebuilding this wall of seperation as the picture has it, the significance of it perhaps...First, what God told Moses when he had gone up to recieve the Law[i]And let the priests also, which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them.[/i]And also what Joshua told the people before they were to cross over Jordan,[i]...Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.[/i]Take care for now,Chris
