Nehemiah 1:4-11 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted… I. TO GIVE NO PLACE TO DESPAIR, HOWEVER DEEP OR PROLONGED OUR GRIEF. No calamity can be so overwhelming as to block our way to the God before whom Abraham and Daniel, and every devout soul, has bowed in fervent petition for help in dire extremity. God does not forsake or forget the lowliest or weakest or most unworthy. The more we need God — for any reason, our misfortune or our fault — the more reason for our seeking Him, and, in some true sense, the more ready is He to be sought and found. II. WE SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK THE SEVERITIES OF GOD'S CHARACTER OR DEALINGS WHEN APPROACHING HIM WITH PETITIONS. Modern ideas of God's fatherhood tend much to put His sterner attributes out of sight. His unquestionable love seems to preclude severities of character or dealings. But our prophet could unite ideas of God as "great and terrible," and also keeping "covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments." By true reasoning we should be wary of views of God which leave out His severity, for there is the side of His character which is the necessary counterpart of love for righteousness and obedience. III. THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPORTUNITY. The prayer of our lesson had lasted for days, attended by fasting. Fasting prepares the way for clear thought and tender feeling. Nehemiah did not say, "God fully understands the situation. I need only refer to it." With familiar urgency he pleads for the "attentive ear" and "open eyes," that God may know his case and care for it. Similar travail of soul has been an element of prevailing prayer in all ages. Why it is necessary we do not fully know. It may be that importunity is the only safe mood to which answers to prayer can be wisely accorded. Without it the desired boon or the answer would not be appreciated. IV. THE FITNESS AND DUTY OF THOROUGH CONFESSION. V. MOSES WAS AN HISTORIC CHARACTER, AND OUR RECORD OF HIM IS TRUSTWORTHY. Nehemiah would not talk with God about a mythical person. VI. NO DEPTH OF FALL OR DISTANCE OF WANDERING CAN INVALIDATE GOD'S COVENANT MERCIES. Though "cast out into the uttermost part of the heaven," their return would be certain if they would but return unto God and keep His commandments. VII. PAST MERCIES AND MIGHTY RESCUES ARE A LOGICAL BASIS OF CONFIDENCE, OF FAITH, AND BOLDNESS OF PETITION. What is the probable logic of the appeal, "Now these are Thy servants and Thy people, whom. Thou hast redeemed by. Thy great power, and by Thy strong hand"? This, m part: God had made an investment of grace in these children of His adoption; from true economy He would not wish it wasted. Again, the love that sought them in the beginning proceeded from its own internal impulses; such love cannot be easily exhausted. Being a motive unto itself, that motive abides unchanging in character and sufficiency. Again, these subjects of His grace were more needy than ever; any help based upon that need could not be lacking on occasion. All this can be said of individual cases as truly as of Israel. The individual backslider has been "redeemed by great power, and by a strong hand." The heavenly Father began the work with a full knowledge of the weakness of the material and the possibilities of failure. Let the tender conscience, the sensitive honour writhing in the memory of past mercies that have been abused, grow calm and hopeful in the assurance that redeeming grace does not depend upon dates or any conditions, but genuine brokenness of heart and absolute return to obedience. VIII. WE CAN GO TO GOD IN PRAYER, WITH ONLY A DESIRE TO FEAR HIM. IX. PRAYER SHOULD BE PRACTICAL IN ITS OUTLOOK. Communion with God may well have our time and attention for its reflex influence; for the nobler soul-life gained thereby; but Nehemiah counted prayer a practical reliance in achieving business results. He needed and coveted the king's help. His example, in this respect, may well be copied in all our undertakings. God is not an uninterested spectator of our toils or plans. We may come to Him for help where our own strength ceases. (S. L. B. Speare.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, |
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