Nehemiah 1, 2
Psalm 78:1-37
The book of Nehemiah opens with the story of the events leading up to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah is in service to King Artaxerxes, holding the position of cupbearer which I learned was usually held by a high ranking royal official. He was primarily in charge of serving wine to the king. Since his job was to make sure the king wasn't poisoned, it shows that Nehemiah was a man of great character who could win the king's complete confidence.
In today's reading, Nehemiah has learned of the sad condition of the city of Jerusalem and is so upset he mourns and fasts and prays to God about the situation. When the king asks him why he is so sad, Nehemiah again prays before he answers the king. God responds by making king favorably disposed to Nehemiah's request to return to Jerusalem to repair the walls.
Though Nehemiah has the king's written permission to be there, Israel's enemies are not pleased about this turn of events and question whether they are there to rebel against the king. Nehemiah confidently responds to them that
Psalm 78 is a summary of Israel's history of rebelling against or disbelieving God saying in verse 32, "In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe." I have often heard people say, "If only I could see a miracle, then I'd believe in God." If any nation should have had reason to never doubt God, it is the nation of Israel who saw miracle after miracle as they were brought out of Egypt and in the years to follow yet people are short sighted and soon forget what God has done. At least, I do - do you?
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