December 31 Commentary

Sunday School Lesson: Explore the Bible - December 31

Working cooperatively By Thurman Seber 12/20/2006

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 1:1-4, 11; 2:4-5, 8b, 17-18; 3:1-2 Introduction. Although Nehemiah was among those who had chosen to remain in Babylon, he was deeply concerned for the welfare of the Jewish homeland. He may have been quite satisfied with his own situation. He could live out his days in comfort with the good position he had as cupbearer to the king. He could assume that all was well in far away Jerusalem. All this changed when Hanani, one of his brethren, gave him a report concerning the true state of affairs there. God convicted, burdened, and stirred his heart. It has been rightly said that the troubled often need to be comforted and the comfortable often need to become troubled. Nehemiah became deeply troubled. Begin with prayer (1:1-4,11). As deep conviction filled his soul, Nehemiah mixed prayers with his tears. This type burden often marks the start of a great work of God. A troubled heart drove him to his knees in prayer. This pattern has continued even unto our time. Great works of God still begin with troubled hearts, tear filled eyes, and earnest prayers. Take steps of faith (2:4-5, 8b). Perhaps he could have tried to forget what he had heard and pretend it wasn’t his problem. Satan wants believers to react that way. When God has spoken to our heart, when our prayers are laid before God, when God reveals His will for us, we must be ready to step out by faith. It is a sin not to do so. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Nehemiah was ready to leave his comfort zone, his good job, safety in Babylon to do that which God had burdened him to do. The wall around Jerusalem must be rebuilt and Nehemiah had felt the call of God to go do that work. With the blessings of the earthly king, he set out for Jerusalem. The King of Glory had called him to a greater task than that of cupbearer. Be ready to step out by faith. Encourage believers to work together (2:17-18; 3:1-2). The task before Nehemiah was very large. A quick survey by night revealed the enormity of the task. How could a simple cupbearer build such a massive wall? The work was too large for Nehemiah alone. It could be done if God’s people worked together. Great dreams are often in the mind and heart of one person. Great works are usually accomplished through the efforts of many, under the guidance of the Almighty.

Nehemiah found people ready to join this huge undertaking. Others must have been dreaming and waiting for God to raise up a leader. Different groups began choosing what part of the wall they would rebuild. The task would be accomplished. The wall would be rebuilt. Conclusion. Not every group would become involved with rebuilding the wall. “And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord” (Nehemiah 3:5). Most would and did become involved with the work. Not every church member will do a fair share in the work today. Some will not pray as they should, will not teach, will not give, will not visit, may not even be faithful to the church services. It would be easy for those who try harder to become discouraged. We must not allow this to happen to us. The devil couldn’t stop the wall from being built. It was a work of God. When God is at work, the impossible becomes commonplace. We must work together like it all depends on us, pray faithfully for God’s leadership and help, and trust Him. — Seber, currently director of missions at Salem Baptist Association, Liberty, will enter full-time evangelism in January.