Care (enough) to rebuild

Neh 1:1-11 (NRSV)

Nehemiah 1:1–11 NRSV

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, 2 one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3 They replied, “The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. 7 We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!” At the time, I was cupbearer to the king.

Introduction

Real care excludes indifference and is the opposite of apathy. The word “care” finds its roots in the Gothic “Kara” which means lament. The basic meaning of care is: to grieve, to experience sorrow, to cry out with.[1]

[1]Nouwen, Out of Solitude

Care (enough) to ask

Nehemiah 1:1–2 NRSV

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, 2 one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

Care (enough) to listen

Care (enough) to respond

Nehemiah’s posture

Nehemiah 1:4 NRSV

4 When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NRSV

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Nehemiah’s prayer

i. Nehemiah’s prayer is rooted in God’s Character

God’s sovereignty

God’s faithfulness

God’s nearness

Ii. Nehemiah’s prayer is rooted in his identity

Both Israel and Nehemiah are God’s servants

Iv. Confession of sin (vs6):

Vs 6 confessing the sins of the people of Israel

Both I and my family have sinned vs 7 We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments…

V. Confidence in God’s promises : Reminding God of His promises: both of judgment and salvation —

It’s a recognition that though Israel has failed they still belong to God who has redeemed them by His great power — the story of Exodus is always in the background of all these narratives.

Nehemiah’s request — “Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” vs 11. Only then does Nehemiah disclose that he is the cupbearer to the King whose name only comes in ch 2 - Artaxerxes. There’s a 4 month gap between ch 1 and ch 2. We know that later Nehemiah heads up the rebuilding of the wall but it all begins here. All vision comes out of seeking God.

Conclusion

What do we most care about?

The first step is really coming to terms with our relationship with God

What would 2 Chr 7:14 look like in our context:

2 Chronicles 7:14 NRSV

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Forgiveness of sin and healing go hand in hand

We really need to first bring our hearts before God and ask Him to soften them — resensitize them — make us alive again to what He is doing and what is going on in the world - so we can re-engage.

William Booth

“While Women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”[William Booth]

[1]https://salvationarmy.ca/prairie/2013/07/william-booths-final-speech-inspiration-for-new-ad/

What is God calling each of us to care about and care enough in our lives?

What does God care about in His world?

May the Holy Spirit who empowered ordinary people to change the world fill us with His love and power that we too may care enough and become conduits of God’s love, forgiveness and healing to a broken world.