Rebuilding During 2010
As I looked back on previous Messenger articles, I found one that I wrote four years ago concerning the rebuilding process (physically and spiritually) that we as a church were involved in. I wanted to share it again with you as a reminder of what God continues to do in our church and encourage you to give thanks for those blessings.
When was the last time you read from the book of Nehemiah? You know, it is the book in the Old Testament you have glanced at while looking for a more prominent book like Exodus or Psalms. If you need help finding it, you can place your finger approximately 1/3 of the way through the Bible and open it. You will find it sandwiched between Ezra and Esther. (If that doesn’t help, you can always look at the table of contents. It’s there. Trust me!)
Like the rest of the Bible, Nehemiah’s record is littered with great truth and hope. Remember the initial setting. Nehemiah was hundreds of miles away from his people’s land in exile. He was a cupbearer who served at the pleasure of a pagan king. As almost every Jew of the time, Nehemiah’s mind was consumed with his homeland and those who were there. On one occasion, he received a troubling report. Nehemiah was informed of the distress of the Judeans and of the ultimate destruction of the holy city, Jerusalem. The cupbearer’s heart was broken. He recorded, “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven” (Neh. 1:4a NLT). Ever been there? Have you ever heard about or seen such a situation that you just wanted to weep continually? How about a circumstance in the life of the church?
Nehemiah was dejected and despondent about the bleak situation. But do you know what he did? The Bible says that he turned to the God of heaven and confessed. He also begged the Lord for the ability to go to Jerusalem so he could be involved in its rebuilding, a prayer God granted. God moved on the pagan king’s heart and gave Nehemiah not only permission to travel, but He also gave him the necessary resources. What about that! So, Nehemiah went to the Judean capital and toured it for himself. After personally witnessing the devastation, he called together the leaders and said, “You know full well the tragedy of our city. It lies in ruins, and its gates are burned. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and rid ourselves of this disgrace!” (1:17 NLT). According to the Scripture, the audience “replied at once, ‘Good! Let’s rebuild the wall!’ and they began the good work” (1:18b NLT).
Why would I tell you this story? I share it because I believe we are in a rebuilding process. We are seeking to strengthen those areas of ministry that have been weakened. We are seeking not only to return FBCZ to the place it was, but to a place it will be. Last Sunday, I challenged our committees with this thought, and I implored them to rise up and rebuild. And now I ask you, “Will you rebuild? Will you begin the good work?” I pray so. May 2006 be our rebuilding year!
Thanks be to God for His rebuilding work in 2006 and beyond! My prayer is that we continue to strengthen the various ministries here and that 2010 would be a year of passion!