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“May you and I make sure what we are doing will bring unite, protection and peace to us and those around us.” <>< Dona (06/24/20)
Please Nehemiah 4 through 6 read. If you don’t have a Bible handy just click here -> Biblegateway.com. The Biblegateway website should open for you to use. Type in the chapters you want to read and select the translation you want to read them from. Click search and the chapters should appear. Once you read the suggested chapters close the screen and you should return here.
In Nehemiah 4 Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, became angry when he heard the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, Sanballat tried to discourage Nehemiah from rebuilding.
Something to think about
Sanballat may have had plans that didn’t include Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall or God being honored. Not everyone has plans that will benefit the majority. Some people make plans that only include enriching themselves and their followers. Nehemiah prayed, not against Sanballat, but for God’s justice to be carried out.
Something to experience
We too must pray for God’s will to be done. We need to make sure what we are doing will bring unite, protection and peace to us and those around us.
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In Nehemiah 5 many of the exiles were suffering at the hands of some of their very own countrymen.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, Nehemiah was angry with these rich Jews who were taking advantage of their own poor countrymen in order to enrich themselves.
Something to think about
Nehemiah told the rich Jews to stop charging interest on their loans to their needy brothers. Nehemiah insisted that fairness to the poor and oppressed was central to following God (verse 9-11).
Something to experience
God says caring for one another is more important than personal gain (I Corinthians 12:26). We should help needy believers, not exploit them. Remember Proverbs 28:27 says “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing.” Perhaps we need to make it a practice (if we haven’t already) to help those in need around us.
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In Nehemiah 6 there is further opposition to the rebuilding by Sanballat and Tobiah. They hadn’t succeeded in stopping the rebuilding of the wall so they decided to attack Nehemiah’s character.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, Nehemiah trusted You to be with him as he accomplished the rebuilding.
Something to think about
Nehemiah was attacked personally with rumors (verse 6); with deceit (verses 10-13); and with false reports (verse 17). But Nehemiah would not stop the rebuilding of the wall.
Something to experience
When we’re faced with opposition and we know it is God’s plan we’re working, may we not let the size of the task nor the length of time needed to accomplish the task keep us from completing it. With God’s help, it can be done.
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Prayer