Nehemiah’s Revival

Nehemiah 8-10

When it comes to great revivals that we read about in the Bible the book of Nehemiah may not be the first book that comes to mind. However when one reads chapters eight through ten, there is doubt a revival taking place. During Nehemiah’s day Israel was under the captivity of Babylon. Nehemiah served as a cup-bearer in the king’s court. However, Nehemiah had a burden to return to his home land, and restore the wall of Jerusalem. Despite much persecution, the wall was restored. After the wall was restored we can see revival breaking out among those that were in Jerusalem.

Economically, Israel was not in their glory. Socially, they were outcasts; slaves and captives to the Babylonians. Politically, well again they had been defeated by an enemy nation. Religiously, they were in dire straights, for the captivity was punishment from God.

It seems that there are many parallels between Nehemiah’s day and the present. Financially we are in a mess. It seems that Satan is winning and the world is creeping into churches. And as a nation the fastest growing religion is “no religion.” Many of our churches today have forgotten their purpose and that is why things seem so dire. However, we can see revival happen!

The question we must ask ourselves is: “Are we willing to do our part?” God will always do His part, but He will never do our part. Will I be wiling to do what I must in order to see God revive my life? Will you be willing to do what you must in order to see God revive your life?

Let’s look at three actions we must take if we want God to revive our life.

Passion for the Word of God

In chapter eight the people of Israel had a passion for the Law of God. This is clearly seen in the first verse of the chapter.

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man in the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

Beginning in verse number three we can see the people’s attitude toward the Word of God. They were attentive.

And he read therein…and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

When was the last time you were truly attentive to the Bible? In church during the preaching, or in your own personal Bible reading? The people had a real hunger for God’s Word, and if we want revival, we must have that same hunger.

However, simply paying attention is not enough. Notice the people’s repsonse to God’s Word. Notice verse 14-16

And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of ; the seventh month; And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths…

Their first response was that of obedience. As soon as they came across a command in the Bible they immediately obeyed. May we too have this same spirit of obedience to God’s Word. Their next response we see in chapter nine verse 2.

And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

The next response was separation. They separated themselves. Throughout the Bible we as Christians are commanded to be separated from the world.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

If we want to be used and blessed by God and see real revival we must be separate.

The next response we see is confession of sins. When we confess we are admitting our own fault, so that we can restore our relationship with God. Sin separates. Not that we loose our salvation, but sin does hinder our fellowship with God.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

I am so glad however, that our God wants to forgive us. All we must do is confess!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Praise in the Worship of God

In chapter nine, after the children of Israel have the right attitude and response to the Word of God, the Praise in their Worship to God. Notice verse five.

…Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all the blessing and praise.

So often times when we come to God we are so selfish. We come to Him with our list like He is a genie in a lamp. Throughout the remainder of chapter nine the children of Israel simply reflect on how good God has been to them. Remember, they are still in captivity to Babylon! A true sign of a revived heart is the ability to praise and worship God even in the midst of a trial.

We need to take our eyes off of ourselves and put them on the Saviour. Often times all we focus on is the negative. May we focus in the Saviour.

Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say. Rejoice.

Promised their Walk with God

In chapter ten several of the people sealed a covenant with God to keep His law. Notice what the verses say…

Now those that sealed were…and all they that separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law…(verse 1, 28-29)

In Bible times a seal was like a signature is today. So often times we are afraid of commitment. We don’t like to commit to things because we are afraid we will no follow through. Let me say this, If we want revival, we must commit to God!

If we want God to move across our nation and in our churches and see our country once again be a Christian nation, we must commit. I have never heard of or been to a revival meeting where people physically signed a commitment saying that they would walk with God. But if by chance we did have the opportunity, would we?

Often times we like to draw up contracts with God, promising obedience if God does such and such. The right attitude however is to draw up a blank contract, sign our names at the bottom and let God fill in the blanks. May we not be afraid of commitment! May we whole heartedly promise to walk with God!

After the glory days of the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle and after the death of their pastor, Charles Spurgeon, the church had ceased to be a place on fire with revival and had become more of a tourist attraction than a gospel lighthouse.  A man came to view this historical landmark; he was a Christian.  As he walked inside, he realized that no one was around, so he began to walk around.  He entered the main auditorium, and stood amazed as he looked at the pulpit from which Spurgeon preached and as he looked at the pews which at one time were filled with people on fire for God.  Then . . . he heard a soft, low voice.  He listened carefully and realized that it was coming from the front of the church.  He walked quietly up to the front and it was there, just a few rows from the front of the church, that he saw an old man kneeling and praying on his face before God.  The old man had been in the church in the glory days; he had witnessed the revival; he had heard the messages, and he had seen the invitations that led to hundreds of people being saved, but now he knelt weeping in the vast, empty, lifeless building.  The man crept closer and listened.  The old man, now a janitor at the church, was repeating the same thing over and over again.  He listened even more intently, and finally realized what he was saying – “Do it again, Lord.  Please, do it again.  Do it again.”

We can see God do it again. But we must first take action and do our part.

God will always do His part, but He will never do our part.