HOW DO WE LEAVE A GODLY HERITAGE?
By the way we live our lives. By the way we handle things, especially the little things. By the example we set. By the influence we exert. By the effect our lives have on those around us. By recounting your own experiences with the goodness of God to your family. Be concerned about the spiritual well-being of those around you. Tell them of God’s great salvation. Tell them about God’s great mercy and His amazing grace. Tell them about the hope for the future we have in God. By making wise Godly decisions during the course of life. By watching what we say and how we say things.
A GODLY HERITAGE
It is an inheritance. It is a gift. It is part of the history that has been passed down from one generation to the next. It is those unique things that descend from one generation to another. It can include a legacy or characteristics passed down to heirs. At a root level the word means to inherit. In this scripture we see it spoken of as a cup. That which has been passed to you. A man’s “cup” is, in scripture, his lot or condition in life – that which is given him to drink.
MOVED TO ACTION
The rebuilding of the wall is a miracle. An impossible task was completed in 52 days. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and examined the damage. He shared God’s plan with the leaders. He gained the support of the people and he organised the building effort with wisdom and care. Each person was required to build the portion of the wall in front of their own home. Whole families got involved, even the ladies. Nehemiah also rallied key leaders to build other sections of the wall and to repair the various gates.
MOVED TO PRAYER
Nehemiah acknowledged the greatness and love of God. This is a good place to start when rebuilding walls. Our faith rises when we remember that nothing is impossible for God and that He is a God of love. Think about that broken wall that you are facing. Now see the issue, or the person, or the situation in the context of God’s greatness and love.
MOVED TO TEARS
Nehemiah sat down and wept when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruin. He wept, and then he mourned and fasted and prayed for many days. When was the last time you really cried about something broken in your life? When was the last time you cried about something broken in the world around you? Being moved to tears is a healthy response to broken-down walls in our lives. Perhaps it’s a habitual sin, or an addiction, or a strained relationship with your spouse or your child.
REBUILDING BROKEN WALLS
The title of today’s message is ‘Rebuilding broken walls!’ I will be sharing from the book of Nehemiah. When the Lord began stirring this message in my heart, I asked Him, ”Lord, why do You want me to share on this?” And I sensed Him say: ”I want My people to build again. There has been a breaking down. There are ruins. Some people are in great despair, and many aren’t feeling safe. Each person’s life is of immense value to Me. I am the Lord Who restores, and I want My people to build again.
HE IS YOUR PROVIDER WHEN THERE IS NOTHING MORE YOU CAN DO
Peter was at a place where there was nothing more he could do. He was chained up with two chains, he was guarded by many guards, he was imprisoned and earmarked for death. It would soon be over and there was nothing more to be done except sleep. At this point of seemingly no return, God steps in and provides a remarkable and miraculous way out of the situation. Peter could never have envisioned this. In fact, while it was happening, he thought it was a vision – that is how unimaginable it was.
HE IS YOUR PROVIDER WHEN THERE’S NO HOPE
When we find ourselves overwhelmed by things we know we should not have done and the regrets, He is ready to come and provide forgiveness. When we find ourselves at the mercy of sickness and disease, He comes to provide healing. When we find ourselves in a hole, in a pit, from which it appears we will never escape, He comes to provide a rescue and a deliverance When we find our lives empty and devoid of hope, He comes to provide the ‘good things’ that He knows we need.
YOUR PROVIDER WILL PROVIDE!
The story that leads up to this verse is a story of unbelievable courage and faith. Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son (Isaac) on an altar at Mt Moriah. This was the same son that was promised many years before and he was a miracle child, born very late in life, long after child-bearing age. This child was the hope of the fulfilment of all that God had promised Abraham.
OUR FUTURE WITH GOD IS FULL OF PROMISE
Contaminated – containing foreign or lower-grade substances. It can also mean polluted and weakened. The implication here is that if we deal with and remove those things that contaminate us, we will be able to stand before our enemies and God will give us victory and success. What can contaminate us?