Nehemiah 2:20
“I answered them by saying, 'The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.’”
On the third Thursday of Advent, we remember Nehemiah.
The ornament for today should represent Nehemiah; Reform and Renewal (a wall, church, or tower).
The story of Nehemiah is found in the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. It is a story of leadership, perseverance, and the restoration of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah was a Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. One day, Nehemiah received news that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins and the people were in great distress. This news deeply troubled Nehemiah, and he sought God's guidance and favor to help rebuild the city.
With the king's permission, Nehemiah traveled to Jerusalem and assessed the situation firsthand. He rallied the people together and organized them into work teams to rebuild the walls. Despite facing opposition from neighboring enemies who opposed the restoration, Nehemiah and the people persevered with determination.
Nehemiah demonstrated strong leadership skills by addressing conflicts, inspiring unity, and leading by example. He motivated the people to work diligently, even in the face of adversity. Under Nehemiah's guidance, the walls of Jerusalem were successfully rebuilt in just 52 days.
In addition to rebuilding the physical walls, Nehemiah also focused on restoring the spiritual and moral integrity of the people. He led reforms to address social injustices, encouraged the study of God's law, and called the people to repentance and obedience.
Overall, the story of Nehemiah serves as an inspiration for leadership, perseverance, seeking God's guidance, fostering unity, addressing social injustices, and living with integrity. It encourages us to be agents of positive change in our own spheres of influence.
For further reading, check out the book of Nehemiah.