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What Condition is Your Wall In?

Walk with Jesus

When Artaxerxes came to the Persian throne, he authorized Ezra the scribe and a small number of Jews to return to Jerusalem in 458 B.C. Upon their arrival they found things in sever disarray. The temple was there; however, there was a tremendous disregard for the Law of God (or things of God in general for that matter). Now, since the time of the Babylonian Captivity (approximately three generations) because while Jerusalem was spiritually in shambles; the walls could literally be a painted portrait of the heart of the city as well. The city heart, was hard, evil, defenseless, and in desperate need of a Savior...In 445 B.C. his name was Nehemiah and he was commissioned by Artaxerxes to rebuild the wall.

Once Nehemiah gave the vision, motivation, and plan of action he established sections of the line to do two things. Build, and defend – a shovel, masons trowel, hammer, or chisel in one hand with a sword in the other. Different people, from different places, all with different gifts worked together to fortify Jerusalem in 52-days (Nehemiah 6:15)…lets walk back to learn about this man and his role.

Nehemiah's Prayer

[4] As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days (Nehemiah was neither prophet nor priest here but was substantially moved for the LORD), and I continued fasting (totally consumed with God and His people) and praying (notice here his first flinch) before the God of heaven. [5] And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments (listen to his heart here – he knows that the Creator is Faithful, and that He HEARS the calling out of a broken heart!!! Do you pray to Him that way, no special words or specific reference but a heart broken for a lost and dying world, a heart open for Jesus to use for His kingdom?), [6] let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant, (before the King with a humble heart…as a servant, how is your heart when you are before Him? Pause here and reflect on how you approach your Savior? Are you a servant leader or a self-serving leader?). That I now pray before you day and night (continuously 1 Th 5:17) for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we (praying for the entire body, the entire nation) have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned (again, his humility is prominent). [7] We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses (let us pray for like that for a revival in the name of Jesus!).
(Nehemiah 1:4-7 ESV)

Speaking mainly to men, but to the body as well in general – can you follow Jesus? If you cannot follow then how can you ever lead? Here is a list of leadership skills that Nehemiah showed:
· Commitment – He risked position, reputation, and even his life
· Motivation – People were motivated to follow him because of God’s will.
· Teamwork – He could not do the job alone and gathered leaders, helpers, and servants.
· Decision – No matter the circumstance he expressed decisiveness.
· Goals – He refused to be distracted by critics, or the enemy – MISSION FIRST
· Accomplishment – The fulfillment of carrying out Gods will was shared by all.
· Celebration – He celebrated what they had all accomplished.

In Chapter Eight we see a type of National Revival…that is still possible when God is involved! He knew the Promisor would not forget the promise…at the end of the Old Testament (according to Dr Ed Hindson – “we are left standing on the temple mount peering into the distance as the Old Testament closes. We are looking down the corridor of time through the canyon of eternity. There, on the horizon, we see a young man making His way from Nazareth to Jerusalem. He is going to the temple with His disciples. He is on His way to keep the promise and call us to faith in Him.”

Aaron's Blessing

[22] The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [23] “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
[24] The LORD bless you and keep you;
[25] the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
[26] the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
[27] “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

(Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

Amen, and amen

Adrian “AG” Green

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