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Pastor Beal

DEALING IN REALITY

"...the wall of Jerusalem also is
broken down..." Nehemiah 1:3

In the book of Nehemiah we find the recorded story of a young man that God used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. As I read this passage I thought of how God finds our lives, broken down and in rubbles, yet God has come from heaven to earth to make our problems His. Here we find Nehemiah, living in comfort with a plush and prestigious position, yet, moved over the condition of his brethren back home. Even though he was far removed from the affliction and reproach of his Jewish brethren, he still truly cared. Nehemiah never forgot where he came from and how he got there. Nehemiah heard of the terrible plight of his Jewish brethren and not only recognized the need, but identified himself with it. Nehemiah wasn't afraid to look at the negative situation in a positive manner. He believed that the God of heaven was interested, able, and willing to rebuild the wall if He was petitioned in a right manner. So many people today have chosen to ignore, or are denying the real problems in their lives. It's like going out to your car and seeing a flat tire, but believing that if you focus and cheer on the other three good tires, it will fix the flat! The positive part is in identifying the problem and having the wisdom to fix it before more damage is done. Nehemiah was happy for the return of the Jews from exile, but he wanted more than an existence. He went to God with a sincere and humble heart and "...wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven." (Neh. 1:4) He then "...confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee..." (Neh. 1:6) And he also remembered God's promise that "...if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them..." (Neh. 1:9) He took the problem to God, the One who can fix the flat.

Thanks! Pastor Earl Beal