The Focus

Just thirty years ago who would have ever dreamed that within our nation we would be...

> debating whether the Ten Commandments or Christmas manger scenes should be allowed on public property?

> voting to define marriage as a union explicitly between a man and a woman?

> arguing as to whether life begins in the womb?

> contemplating whether 'One Nation Under God' should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance?



What is happening here??



Well, what's happening is that we are becoming a nation that is forgetting who God is and therefore, our walls of morality are crumbling and deteriorating.



If you're a Christian...this may ring a bell with you! Remember Nehemiah?



You may recall the story from the Old Testament...it had been over 400 years since Solomon built the great temple in Jerusalem; and now - - it has come to Nehemiah's attention that the walls and the gates of Jerusalem are in absolute disrepair.



More importantly, though, he realizes that in those 400 years, the nation of Israel has 'crumbled' time and time again because of it's rebellion and disobedience to God.



So, Nehemiah intercedes in prayer on behalf of both the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. He asks God to forgive the people's sins, and in effect, give them another chance at being recognized as a nation...a nation that worships the one true God!



God honored Nehemiah's prayer of intercession. He did so because Nehemiah was a man of action. God knew that Nehemiah would give more than just lip-service in uniting nation...he would fight for it.



It's incredible to discover that Nehemiah rallied the nation and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in just 52 days!!!



However, his faithful action also led to a spiritual rebuilding of the nation of Israel as well!!!



Perhaps, just perhaps, if each of us will pray on behalf of our nation . . . God will listen and help us turn back to Him.



Will YOU be a Nehemiah?



"O Lord, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people. I confess that we have sinned against You. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned."

- Nehemiah 1:6 (NLT)



"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)



<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><



'THE FOCUS' is a weekly email devotional prepared by:

Dennis J. Wheeler, Pastor

dennis_wheeler123@yahoo.com - email

used by permission.