Recognize Brokenness

Background of Nehemiah: Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaneous reformers. Ezra a priest and scribe, who was skilled in the law of Moses and lead in reading of the Torah to the postexilic community (). Nehemiah is the gifted administrator who organized the people in restoring their community and rebuilt the broken city that was destroyed by Babylon in 587 B.C. Bothe of these men came from Susa in Persia during the reign of Artaxerxes I (464-424 B.C.). In the Hebrew bible Ezra and Nehemiah is one book placed before 1-2 Chronicles. The separation came in the Septuagint and the order has them after 1-2 Chronicles in the Greek, Latin, and English Bibles.

Intro: Natural disasters are a natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that causes great damage or loss of life. We in the Midwest are all too familiar with tornadoes. They cause damage and some are declared natural disasters because of the great damages caused and the rebuilding that is needed. The United States President can declare two types of disaster declarations provided for in the Stafford Act: emergency declarations and major disaster declarations.  Both declaration types authorize the President to provide supplemental federal disaster assistance.  However, the events related to the two different types of declaration and scope and amount of assistance differ. This results then many resources available to help rebuild what has been destroyed.

1. The Broken Observed

What causes the brokenness?

Nehemiah 1:3 NLT

They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

The remnant are:

Greatly distressed - in misery, inured, hurting, are wronged. The people condition of injury is reflected on the state of their city. Their city is a reflection of their life of sin that resulted in God’s judgement.

1. Problems in our lives some times, but not all the times the sin in our live.

2. Israel abandoned God and his law and found the judgment of God upon them.

3. Sin of the many impacted the few and how true it is today that the majority hurts the minority.

Surviving is not living. The people are in terrible state from just surviving the desolation and captivity of the people.

People can look at you and sometimes can tell that you are not doing so good.

YOU LOOK RUNDOWN.

YOU LOOK BEAT.

YOU LOOK TIRED AND NEEED SOME REST.

SIN beats us down.

We sometimes do not see how bad we are.

We need a

Need a another eye to expose your wrongs.

Need a another eye to expose your wrongs.

Others see what you do not.

They see the state you are living in and have not addressed.

Turn to the word of God.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;” ( NAS95)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” ( NAS95)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;”

( NAS95)

( NAS95)

Fear the Lord and obey him.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ( NAS95)

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” ( NAS95)

( NAS95)

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”

( NAS95)

2. Second Point Of Views Are Helpful

Nehemiah saw the issue and saw a solution bigger than the problem.

Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

We sometimes do not see how bad we really are.

We need a second opinion.

We hire trainers or coaches.

Need a another eye to expose your wrongs.

Others see what you do not.

They see the state you are living in and have not addressed.

3. My Environment Impacts My Health

Fast and abstain from food, or other every day things to focus on ones need for God.

Pray to God in the time of mourning and fasting.

Turn To God the healer.

Environment Impacts My Health

New Living Translation Chapter 1

The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

Jerusalem is:

Reproach - contempt, disgrace, scorn, shame. The city of Jerusalem is like the city Radiaotr Srping in the Discney Move Cars that city is now a rundown place of reproach that no one will visit.

Jerusalem -Foundaiton of peace, the captial city of Israel. Also known as the city of God and the holy city. Jerusalem is symbolic to the home of God and his resting place, but with the city in ruin why would God be present in such a reproach. Therfore the cityԳ condition has greatly impacted the people. The People are down because their city is down. The city reflects the people and the judgement of God.

Jerusalem is:

Reproach - contempt, disgrace, scorn, shame. The city of Jerusalem is like the city Radiator Springs in the Disney Move Cars that city is now a rundown place of reproach that no one will visit.

Jerusalem -Foundation of peace, the capital city of Israel. Also known as the city of God and the holy city. Jerusalem is symbolic to the home of God and his resting place, but with the city in ruin why would God be present in such a reproach. Therefore the city’s condition has greatly impacted the people. The People are down because their city is down. The city reflects the people and the judgement of God.

When Solomon built the temple he made a covenant with God.

“‘Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. ‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’” ( NAS95)

“‘Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. ‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’” ( NAS95)

Need to welcome God in my life.

( NAS95)

Make an environment that welcomes God.

Make a sanctuary in your hose to spend in the presence of God.

Turn form your selfish ways and seek the Lord.

Remedy for our brokenness

Turn to the word of God.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;” ( NAS95)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” ( NAS95)

Fear the Lord and obey him.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ( NAS95)

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.” ( NAS95)

Another Home Remedy is Repentance

Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah saw the issue and saw a solution bigger than the problem.

Time to mourn before the Lord.

Fast and abstain from food, or other every day things to focus on ones need for God.

Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Time to mourn before the Lord.

Pray to God in the time of mourning and fasting.

Fast and abstain from food, or other every day things to focus on ones need for God.

Turn To God the healer.

Promise in repenting to God.

Pray to God in the time of mourning and fasting.

Israel knows that God is faithful.

Turn To God the healer.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Israel knows that God is faithful.

God desires for us to turn our laughter into mourning and draw near.

James 4:8–10 NLT

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.