You have two books with, basically, the same story. Ezra likely, mentions Nehemiah, and Nehemiah describes Ezra as the one reading the law. However, I’m not here to discuss the historical dating of Ezra and Nehemiah; I simply think it’s a funny… thought?
This time going through the book, I was struck by one of Nehemiah’s favourite phrases because of the spiritual leadership lesson for pastors and pioneers in the church today.
“Remember me, God.”
This statement is profound because Nehemiah asks a perfect God to remember an imperfect human who also represents an imperfect people (Israel/Judah). In Nehemiah, you’ll find this phrase in different variations. All of them relate to Nehemiah himself, or one other variation where he says:
“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me ( Ne 6:14. NIV)
From this otherwise grim call to remembrance by Nehemiah, the rest are related to Nehemiah himself.
Nehemiah had his work cut out for him.
Nehemiah had a challenging group project. And yes, I’ve had difficult ones… 5 years of post-secondary tends to bring some challenging projects. Nehemiah was tasked with bringing the people of God back to the city of God. And the people didn’t exactly grow from their past mistakes.
They proved their hearts weren’t right with God, even after exile.
How so? Because they married foreign women. Well, not entirely. When Israel came to conquer the land of Canaan, one of God’s reasons to command chastity towards women of the land wasn’t so much the people but the temptation to worship the gods of the foreign nations because of emotional entanglement.
The conquest of Canaan wasn’t due to racism but idolatry.
All this being said, what is the point of Nehemiah’s repeated prayer to God:
“Remember me, God.”
In every instance of this phrase (Ne. 5:19, 13:14, 13:22, 13:31), Nehemiah is bringing this prayer to God after accomplishing something or confronting something (As per the two verses I omitted from Nehemiah 6:14-15).
Nehemiah recognized something that pastors and leaders mustn’t miss.
Nehemiah recognized that the reward for faithfulness was not found in the fruit of the people under his charge but in the faithfulness of Nehemiah.
In the past, I believed that the fruit of my ministry (no matter the context) depended on the progress/instant sanctification of the people under me. However, we can glean a valuable and relieving truth from Nehemiah’s prayer.
Don’t base your spiritual success on the spiritual progress of your people. Instead, stay faithful to God in your leadership and shepherding.
Remember me with favour, my God, for all I have done for these people.
Nehemiah 5:19 NIV
~ Gavin Schaefer
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your website in web explorer, would check thisK IE still is the market leader and a good component of people will leave out your fantastic writing because of this problem.
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade solutions with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
Sex
1 April. Carlsen won the Candidates Tournament in London and thus certified for the World Chess Championship.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Perfectly written.
Thank you for any other informative web site. The place else may I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect means? I’ve a venture that I am simply now operating on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
But probably the most destructive tornadoes can happen outdoors of twister alley and last for more than an hour, and have wind speeds of between 200 and 300 miles per hour (322 and 482 kilometers per hour), in line with the Nationwide Weather Service.
You made certain fine points there. I did a search on the theme and found a good number of folks will agree with your blog.
You need to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this site!
Such a useful guide.
Good way of telling, and pleasant article to get information regarding my presentation subject, which i am going to deliver in college.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a applicable deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
Introducing to you the most prestigious online entertainment address today. Visit now to experience now!
It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this
helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi there, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this article.
It was helpful. Keep on posting!
I have been reading out some of your articles and i can state clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.
Helpful information. Fortunate me I found your site by accident, and I’m surprised why this coincidence did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Scam
hi!,I like your writing so so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence extra about your article on AOL? I require a specialist in this house to solve my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking forward to peer you.
You can definitely see your skills within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Very good written article. It will be supportive to everyone who usess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts.
Pornstar