Nehemiah 1-7: Blessed to do God's Work

Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. - Neh. 2:17-18 KJV

This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him. - Ezra 7:6 KJV

Ezra and Nehemiah may or may not have been contemporaries but they were both instrumental in restoring the destruction that occurred when the Jews were exiled to Babylon. Ezra was a priest and Nehemiah was an administrator, but they both answered the call of the Lord and persuaded the Babylonian rulers to give them permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild.  Both of them were saddened by the destruction around them and called the people to repentance. 

How is it that the pagan rulers gave permission to these two men to restore what had lain in ruins for almost 500 years?  Simple, it was God that destroyed Israel and it was God that rebuilt.  God destroys when his people forget him and he rebuilds when there is true repentance.  I pray that God would raise up an Ezra and a Nehemiah in this day.  Lovers of God who would see how the walls have fallen around us, who would see how God's temple has been destroyed and call the people to repentance and rebuilding.  Leaders who are not in it for their own advancement or reputation but humble, penitent priests and administrators who would weep for the destruction and cry out to God on our behalf. It may be if such men arise, even the leaders of this country will recognize that they have been appointed by God and will bless them to carry out the work. 

Luke 18: Who Then Can Be Saved?

Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” - Luke 18:24-17 NIV

It does seem pretty impossible to enter the kingdom of God. The prophet Isaiah echoed these sentiments when he said, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."  - Isaiah 64:6 NIV

And so we would remain, relying solely on our righteous acts, swept away by the overwhelming flood of our sins, if it were not for God and his provision.  Jesus knew what he was talking about, when he said that with God it was possible, because he knew he was the provision.  He knew that in a few days, he would be going up to Jerusalem where he would become the impossible, become the means for our entry into the kingdom of God.  With his death, he became our salvation, our only salvation.  I am reminded of the old scripture song we used to sing from Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

 It was God's mercy and God's mercy alone that saved us, that purchased the kingdom of God for us.  If it were not for that love, that mercy, that grace, none of us could be saved.

Ezra 1-4: Rebellious and Troublesome Jews

The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer. 
Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, 
so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. 
We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans–Euphrates. - Ezra 4:12-16 NIV

Anyone who thinks the situation in the Middle East has a simple solution, doesn't know their history.  The enemies of God and His people have been plotting against both the Jews and their god for centuries.  Over and over again, there have been human plans to wipe them off of the face of the earth, or at the very least discredit them.  Even today, unless one has traveled to Israel and Jerusalem, it is hard to understand the issue.  Despite what is presented by the media, the Jews in Israel would like to have a Palestinian solution.  They are not heartless, in fact just the opposite.  Even now, their hospitals are treating children hurt in the ongoing Syrian conflict..   Israel welcomes refugees that few countries do.   According to Amnesty International,  "As of 2009, there are approximately 18,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Israel – a majority coming from Eritrea, Darfur and Southern Sudan."  Yet, many continue to see Israel as 'rebellious and troublesome to kings and provinces', echoing the view in Ezra's day.

From my perspective, it all goes back to the day that Satan was thrown from heaven.  I think he made up his mind that if he couldn't be the favorite, then no one else would be either. Like Cyrus, many of the kings in the Old Testament recognized that God's hand was on His people and on those who would help Israel.  Those rulers with short memories would suffer the consequences of not realizing that God was behind Israel and Jerusalem. The rebellious and troublesome Jews have the God of the Ages on their side.

Luke 14: If the Shoe Fits

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. - Luke 14:31-32 NIV
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 14:11 NIV

It doesn't take much imagination to apply this to our current political position, or even political posturing that is a distant memory, as in the alleged incident of Kruschev banging his shoe at the United Nations.  As in every case, though, I have to relate what Jesus is trying to say to my own personal life, so I have to ask where do I go to war without first trying to make peace. I think back on the times when I have gone warring on matters that in retrospect seem very petty.  I have come close to ruining friendships and work relationships over issues that could have been discussed thoroughly and coherently.  Many times when I encountered opposition, I told myself I will take the "high road".  I will consider the consequences and look for any concession.   I will be gracious and explore all of the alternatives. I will love my enemies and do good to those who hate me.  Sometimes I even put up a good front while internally I am banging my shoe at the offender and maintaining my superior self worth

 I'm no longer sure that there are any reasons for going to war on a national or personal level.  It seems to make fools of us all which in itself can be very humbling.  Just like the politicians, I have a long way to go.

2 Chronicles 36: No Remedy

Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the LORD, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.
The Fall of Jerusalem
The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. 2 Chron. 36: 14-15 NIV

Do these words apply to us now?   I know for certain that we have succumbed to all of the ungodly ways of the other nations.  In fact, we are creating new, even more detestable practices for the rest of the world to follow.  While some of the nations of this world are becoming more godly, we have taken the opposite approach and seem to be pursuing our own destruction.  A few years ago, after September 11th, it appeared, for a time, that we were following after God once more, but just as after godly reign of Josiah when his sons reverted to the sins of his predecessors,  I fear that we have despised the word of God too many times and we may be in the same position that Judah was after Josiah's reign.  We have abandoned any semblance of holiness or godliness and are pursuing pleasure at any cost. Will this be the end?  Has the wrath of God been aroused to the point where there is no remedy?

Luke 13: Christians in Name Only

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 

Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 

Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’  

“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ - Luke 13:24-27 NIV

Our pastor has been teaching about the difference between Christians and disciples.  A search of the Bible shows only three instances where the word Christian is used.   

• The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.- Acts 11:26 NIV
• Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”. - Acts 26:28 NIV
• However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.- 1 Peter 4:16. NIV

On the other hand, the word disciples is used sixty-eight times in Matthew alone and one of Jesus' final statements to his own disciples was that they were to replicate themselves.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. - Matt. 28:19 NIV

Now, as in New Testament times, the word Christian has taken on a derogatory meaning and much of that we have brought on ourselves.  We appear to have been doing everything but making disciples, for if that was our mission, they would have replicated themselves and the world would look a lot different.  Satan understands this principle better than we do as Christians.  His disciples are constantly bringing others into the fold, while we are creating Christians in name only that the Father is unable to recognize. 

2 Chronicles 34-35: Josiah

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.
Now I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.’” So they took her answer back to the king. - 2 Chron. 34:27-28 NIV

Josiah could not change the history of Judah and he could not change the punishment that would be inflicted on Judah for their disobedience, but because of his faithfulness, he would see peace and prosperity in his lifetime.  Perhaps we need to take the posture of Josiah, we need to atone for our sins and not concentrate on our history or our future.  What God has ordained for our country and the world is already being put in place.  There is nothing we can to do stop his divine plan, but we can bring peace and prosperity to our own lives by restoring the covenant God made with us, by worshipping God alone rather than the gods of this world.  Once we tear down the idols in our lives, we can live lives as God intended them to be.  We can be complete in him in a world that is increasingly falling apart.