April 11, 2022 - Nehemiah 1-2

In the U.S. Senate, there is the tradition of the filibuster. Rand Paul, our senator from Kentucky, has used the filibuster in the past, speaking for hours on end. Typically, others will gather and assist. Sometimes, a situation calls for a single, determined person with strong conviction to stand up and bring others along.

Ezra was such a man: “While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly” (Ezra 10:1). One man, Ezra, had seen the disobedience all around him. One man made confession. One man prayed. One man wept and cast himself down before God. And then . . . many, many people began to do the same!

Nehemiah was such a man: “I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). In Jerusalem, Nehemiah reported to the people: “Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem” (2:17), and the hand of the Lord was with him, and the walls were restored. One man sees a need. One man prays. One man surveys the need and calls others to come alongside him. And, with the favor and provision of God, the job gets done.

Steadily onward! O turn not aside,

Steadily, steadily on!

Upward and onward whatever betide,

Steadily, steadily on!

Jesus will help you to walk in His way,

Guiding your feet lest they wander astray,

Ever be ready to hear and obey—

Steadily, steadily on. -- Carrie Ellis Breck (19th century)