The words of Nehemiah “Hanani said, concerning the Jews who had escaped captivity, “The survivors are there IN GREAT DISTRESS AND REPROACH. THE WALL IS BROKEN DOWN, its gates are burned with fire.” I sat down and WEPT, and MOURNED many days; FASTING and PRAYING before the God of heaven. And I said: O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to my prayer…and let me prosper this day, I pray, and GRANT ME MERCY IN THE SIGHT OF THE KING.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.” (Neh. 1:11) Nehemiah was desperate to go and help but as the king’s cupbearer, he could not go, under penalty of death, without the kings permission. God touched the king’s heart and he sent Nehemiah on his way. MIRACULOUSLY, it took only 52 days to rebuild the walls. “With men this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.“ (Matt. 19:26)
Do we have walls in our lives that need to come down and be rebuilt? It might be some annoying sin, It might be some old hurt that has grown into a root of bitterness, It might be a cold and indifferent spirit that has invaded our life, It might be a bad attitude; an unforgiving spirit; pride; anger; But, whatever it is, it stands before us today and it keeps us from going deeper with God. ALL THESE WALLS MUST COME DOWN IF WE ARE GOING TO WALK FORWARD INTO GOD’S BEST! What must we do? As Nehemiah did we must,
“WEEP, AND MOURN MANY DAYS; FAST AND PRAY BEFORE OUR LORD GOD.”
-Bill Stockham