Does This Concern You? (Then you will be led to see it worked out.)

Most of us have read this book and know something of the character of Nehemiah. But as the Holy Spirit directs us to read and look again at the life of Nehemiah—his vision, and the putting of it into working order—it inspires us anew.

The Jews were in captivity in the land of Persia. God was concerned about them, although they had failed Him. That longing of God for His people was in the heart of Nehemiah. He was concerned.

He was a palace slave, a captive Jew, too, but one who by some means had gained the favor and trust of the king who had given him. He was not in such a high position as Joseph or Daniel who were ministers of state, but in that of a cupbearer—a responsible position for the one who served the king wine held the life of the king in his hands. It is said that in those days, and even as late as the Czar of Russia’s time, the rulers demanded the cupbearer to pour the wine into the palm of his hand and drink, before the king would drink.

As his brother and some others came, perhaps wondering if they would be able to interview this one who was not under the lash of the taskmaster, he had no reason at all to be burdened naturally. Yet we see how he did not wait to be asked or told of conditions—such a concern was upon him for the Jews and Jerusalem. He did not wait, but was, no doubt, greatly relieved at the sight of them thinking he could gain the information he so desired. As he heard the answer—the Jews are in great affliction, and are a byword and reproach, and the walls are down—he was so affected, it weakened him, and he sat down and wept, and mourned, fasted and prayed.

The need was the call. He did not shrug his shoulders and say, “It serves them right; they have forsaken God, and if they will get right with God, He will bless them as He has blessed me. Look how He has helped me.” No, he confessed the sins of Israel as a people as though they were his own and said, “We have sinned.” He called to God’s remembrance His promise to His people (Isaiah 43:26). He also recalls the fact that they are His redeemed ones. Then he asks that God will bless and prosper his way in the sight of this man. After addressing God, he calls the king this man.

The prayer was prayed; faith took hold, but the weight of burden was heavy upon his heart. Four months passed by, and the burden was so heavy that it told on his countenance. As he served the king wine, the king noticed it and asked the reason for it, seeing he was not sick. Nehemiah trembled, for this subject was a very dangerous one for a Jew to talk over with a heathen king who was jealous for his throne. If the Jews got it right, they had a God who could make the rulers of the earth tremble. This was the same Artaxerxes who about ten or twelve years before had ordered the work to cease in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:21).

Nehemiah’s job was in danger—but more, his life—for the king could have risen up in wrath and recalled to Nehemiah’s mind the edict that had been sealed and signed. The king could have thought this was another plot, but Nehemiah was willing to risk all. The king asked, “What is your request?” Then Nehemiah called out on God. This is ejaculatory prayer; a quick, short cry for help.

Haven’t you gotten in such a place as that, a time when you could not pray a long prayer, but needed help quickly? How many would love to have short prayers that are effectual, but these prayers must be backed by concern and steadiness to be answered.

I have heard people say, “Jesus, help,” only to have the echo of their own voices come back. People get in hard places and cry to God and are not answered. They say, “Is that your God?”

When I was a sinner and wanted something, I would say, “My God, help me.” It was His mercy to let me go on. We need the prayer of supplication, and then when we are in a hard place, He is there. If I only called when I needed Him, or when I could not believe myself, He would come to my aid.

Nehemiah pressed his claim to the king. I praise God for his boldness. There are some people who will go so far. But when God says, “What is it you want?” they do not ask. Afraid! Nehemiah did not back off of the scene. God says, “What do you want?” Ask.

You say, “I might ask too much.”

Nehemiah said, “Give me letters,” (he knew the trouble he might have). He had a vision, but he was practical. He said, “I would like to have a letter to the head man of the forest that I might get from him what I need…according to the good hand of my God upon me.” He was bold in God, but humble, with no false modesty. You have seen some who have such holy boldness as they call it, that they walk away with everything.

He went at night. He did not spread it all around, but went quietly. He looked around and saw the condition. He did not tell what was on his heart to anyone. He had wisdom, and how he used wisdom, boldness and how he prays! I believe God wants us rounded out. We cannot do much until we are rounded out. As he saw what was needed, he called different ones. And when they saw that there was one there who knew what he was about, they strengthened their hands for the work.

Nehemiah, first of all, had the concern, the burden, and then the carrying of it out. There is enough waste all around us, but how much are we really concerned? We get a little concerned at times when we have prayer meetings, then let it go until the next prayer meeting comes around. We see enough here in this city, but that is only a sample of what is in other cities.

The walls are down; the enemy is in, but how many people have this on their hearts? We see those who serve out of bronze or marble that which will some day perish. But here was one who had an invisible something; a vision and, by the tools of faithfulness and steadiness in God, cut his way through circumstances, conditions, and the powers of Hell. He made that which first was only a vision, a glorious reality. Gates, walls went up, and Jerusalem was restored.

Is there a concern in your heart? All around us, spiritually speaking, lie scenes of waste. The walls are down, the enemy is in. As we see these conditions, the need is the call to our hearts, and if we will get close enough to the heart of God, we will be concerned.

It was almost preposterous for Nehemiah to ask such a thing, but through these perplexities and the risk of his position, he was able to say, “I want money, timber, soldiers.”

Now if an earthly king says, “Ask,” how much more our heavenly King? He says, “Ask, seek, knock, ask of Me, and I will give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts for a possession.” We do not receive because we want to consume it on our own lusts. Nehemiah asked nothing for himself, but only for others.

We may weep, fast, mourn and pray, and confess. But when God asks what we want, we hesitate—our order is too large, or we do not know what we want. We see a church: where are the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit? We have seen some, but they are child’s play to the great things of God. The gifts and callings of God, though they have been abused, have never been recalled. Only God can be so patient. How we need these gifts and callings, and how we need to fit together in the body? It is a big order, but put your order in, make your request. Do you know where we can find the precious Spirit working and being poured out? I pray God we may have a concern. Nehemiah’s concern did not leave him in four months, but he prayed it out, and it led him to go to waste places.

Ezekiel prophesied in a graveyard, among tombstones and had enough humbleness to say, “Lord, it is too hard for me.” But, you know, God has said, He would have a church without spot or wrinkle. Does this concern you? Does your heart feel as though it will break if it does not come to pass?

When my husband asked a young lady who was getting ready for the mission field, “Suppose you don’t get to South America?”

She said, “Then my heart will break.” So God sent her.

If you are expecting to help someone you must be strengthened yourself until you know God’s hand is upon you. He wants us to arise together and do something. It did me a tremendous lot of good as I saw how each one got to his place on the wall. The enemy worked and sent his lies, but Nehemiah kept at it.

Let us ask God for a concern, weeping, fasting, praying, confessing, boldness and wisdom. It took Moses forty years. I don’t know how long Nehemiah was at it. Sheer doggedness means nothing if we do not know what we are about. We are plodding in the mire. Let us ask God for a vision, then by steadiness and faithfulness, see it worked out.