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Let Us Build, September 15
Nehemiah 2:9-20
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me ... and
they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for
this good work.
Nehemiah 2:18
.
With sorrow-stricken heart, the visitor from afar gazed upon the ruined
defenses of his loved Jerusalem. And is it not thus that angels of heaven survey
the condition of the church of Christ? Like the dwellers at Jerusalem, we become
accustomed to existing evils, and often are content while making no effort to
remedy them. But how are these evils regarded by beings divinely illuminated?
Do not they, like Nehemiah, look with sorrow-burdened heart upon ruined walls,
and gates burned with fire
Nehemiah bore a royal commission requiring the inhabitants to cooperate
with him in rebuilding the walls of the city, but he did not depend upon the
exercise of authority. He sought rather to gain the confidence and sympathy of
the people, knowing that a union of hearts as well as of hands was essential in
the great work before him
There is need of Nehemiahs in the church today,—not men who can pray
and preach only, but men whose prayers and sermons are braced with firm and
eager purpose.... The success attending Nehemiah’s efforts shows what prayer,
faith, and wise, energetic action will accomplish.... The spirit manifested by the
leader will be, to a great extent, reflected by the people. If the leaders professing
to believe the solemn, important truths that are to test the world at this time,
manifest no ardent zeal to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, we must
expect the church to be careless, indolent, and pleasure-loving
Nehemiah was a reformer, a great man raised up for an important time. As
he came in contact with evil and every kind of opposition, fresh courage and zeal
were aroused. His energy and determination inspired the people of Jerusalem;
and strength and courage took the place of feebleness and discouragement.
His holy purpose, his high hope, his cheerful consecration to the work, were
contagious. The people caught the enthusiasm of their leader, and in his sphere
each man became a Nehemiah, and helped to make stronger the hand and heart
of his neighbor
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22
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1136
.
23
Prophets and Kings, 637
.
24
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1137
.
25
Ibid
.
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