Title: The Pain of the Country
Contents
Nehemiah 1:1-5
the country's pain
Over the past week, our people and the whole world have been amazed. North Korea's surprise bombing of Yeonpyeong Island caused forest fires and damaged houses. In addition, beautiful young soldiers and civilians were killed by the shells. Why do we have to go through this? You cannot lose your country and enjoy freedom and happiness. We cannot exist without our country. You cannot fully serve God without a nation. Christians on this earth have been with us in times of crisis. When the Japanese took over the country, they struggled for independence, and even during the Korean War, the Christian faith shone amid the ravages of war. The power to protect that country depends not on the sword, but on God's guidance and the people's consciousness structure. There are great patriots in the Bible.
Today's text is the story of Nehemiah. After King Zedekiah, the kingdom of Judah was destroyed by Babylon. The people were taken into captivity, and Nehemiah was born as the son of Hacaliah, one of the captives of Judah. Born in Babylon, studied, matured, and took the post of managing the king's wine during the reign of King Artaxerxes.
One day, he meets people from his homeland. The people of Jerusalem are going through great tribulation and reproach, and they hear that the walls have been destroyed and the gates have been burned with fire. What does Nehemiah do then? What kind of attitude of faith should we have today when the tragedy of war is heard on this land?
1. I wept thinking about my country (verse 4).
Nehemiah listened, sat down and wept, and mourned for days. Nehemiah wept because of the pain of his country and the tribulation and humiliation suffered by the people who were left behind after the country was taken away. The city fell and the gates were burned. Nothing is perfect. The pain of the motherland groaning in that land came to Nehemiah as lamentation and pain. Crying over the pain of the country is possible only when there is sincerity and love deep in the heart.
What have I to do with the Jewish people thousands of miles away? I am living a well-federated life by taking a public office here. Without them, I prospered and prospered. Why should I cry and mourn?
There are people who live their lives for themselves. However, there are people who share the pain even when it is difficult and difficult. That is the heart of Jesus. When he saw sinners and the sick, he felt sorry for them. Those who love their country suffer when their country is sick. Nehemiah was such a person.
2. We prayed before God (verse 4).
It's not all about being sad. Tears are not the solution. Nehemiah brought the pain of his country to God. So I fasted and prayed. The way to revive the country is possible only with God's grace and power. Prayer is an expression of faith in God. Prayer is the victorious way of believers who acknowledge God as God. Nehemi's prayer was a thorough repentance of the nation's sins before God.
3. He knew his mission (verse 11).
Today I prayed that my servant would prosper and find favor in front of these people. Because you have to go to the king for your country. In order to do that, he had to receive favor from God. God's grace was more important than the king's decision in order to fulfill Nehemiah's efforts and dreams toward his people who are still in extreme tribulation and suffering in Jerusalem, where the walls have been destroyed and the gates have been burned. Because it is God who moves the heart of the king. Why did Nehemiah become the king's cupbearer? It was a God-given position to use for God's people. The reason for becoming the king's cupbearer was clear.
Our health today, our material things, our gifts. The environment is to be used. It is because of the grace God has given us and our mission to change and restore the kingdom of God and the world on this earth. The purpose is not to live a rich and comfortable life sitting at Susan Palace. We must see the pain and suffering of the country and shed tears. You must pray. Repentance is required. I must be the missionary to be used.