The two men walked quietly, quickly down the corridor. Light filtering through narrow windows cast giant, ominous shadows. ”Just a little farther,” the older whispered patting his companion on the shoulder. A servant girl passed carrying a bowl of fruit. The men nodded intent on keeping confidences.
They stopped. One looking at the other with relief and hesitation,
“Tell me brother. How do our kinsman fare? Who has survived the exile? What of the Lord’s city? Jerusalem…how does she stand?“
“The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
Covering his mouth in disbelief, Nehemiah stumbled backward leaning against the wall, “Hanani, brother, how can this be?”
Tears spilled as brothers sat, distraught, mourning the brokenness of the City of God and its Chosen People.
“What will you do?”
Nehemiah looked at the solid walls surrounding him, the citadel of Susa, the pride of Babylon. It stood strong and stalwart as his own precious city lay in want, the walls broken and ruined.
Just a captive, what could he do? Just a slave, prized though he was, still a man held in bondage to the service of a foreign king. His hands touched the cold ground beside him, fingers feeling each stone until his fingers met the soft cloth tucked into his belt.
“I will mourn. I will fast and pray before God in heaven. And then, then I will go to the King and petition him that I may return to the city of Judah and rebuild.”
******
Nehemiah is a beautiful, restorative picture of living in godly significance. By looking at the circumstances around him, he could have easily walk in insignificance.
But Nehemiah choose to see himself and the world through God’s eyes, rather than his worldly position. Nehemiah was a captive in exile. He was the cupbearer to the king, though a position of trust and honor he was not a free man. He could have easily chosen to be bitter, to forget the the city of his people, and to see the disarray of his life and city as a lack of faithfulness of God.
But he didn’t.
He wept over what was lost
the city’s defenses–it’s protection, but it was more than just physical (Ne. 2:17). The lack of repair of the wall for years showed the Israelite’s spiritual condition was poor. They didn’t care. They didn’t care about the holiness of God, the temple, or the Law.
But Nehemiah did and he lived in significance, because he saw the purpose and vision of God.
Significance makes us confidence in God’s direction and calling even when it feels risky (Ne 1-2).
So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”
Significance gives us the freedom to repent, because we know we are secure (Ne 1:5-7, 9:1).
Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you…
When we walk in significance we long for the things God longs for, we’re broken for what God is broken for (Ne 1:4-11).
I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Significance sees God for who He is (Ne 1:5).
O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love…
When we walk in significance, we remember God’s promises and cling to them (Ne 1:8-9).
Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses…
Significance gives us boldness to petition God (Ne. 1:6, 8, 10-11; 2:1-9) and man (Ne 2:1-9).
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant…
Significance persists even in the face of opposition (Ne 4:1-2, 7-9).
They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard…
Significance sees through the eyes of God, not man (Ne 4:12-14).
“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…”
Significance desires to honor God (Ne 10:28-39).
“We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Significance brings restoration and joy (Ne 8:9-10, 13-17; 12:43).
…God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
How would your life change if you walked in this kind of significance?
New here? Thanks for stopping by. I’m in the middle of writing for 31 days on biblical significance. Interested? You can start at the beginning by visiting 31 Days of Significance.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Yes! This, When we walk in significance, we remember God’s promises and cling to them! God is so faithful. We can cling to Him and walk in significance!