Causes for Concern
Nehemiah 1
“Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews... and concerning Jerusalem.... The remnant... are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire” (Neh. 1:23).
The home is the last and only refuge where parents can still exercise full authority and control in guiding and protecting their children. But the family is under Satan’s vicious attack and the description in Nehemiah 1 is an apt moral depiction of its condition at present in these perilous times. Christian homes (Satan’s special target) come under great affliction and reproach in the measure in which they obey God’s Word in this godless age (see Rom. 1:19-3219Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:19‑32)).
The collapse of marriage and morality in Western lands has resulted in growing numbers of “single parent families,” “extended families” or the abomination of “same gender parents.” Society no longer accepts God’s standard of “two-parent, father-and-mother families” as a desirable or normal pattern.
Such godlessness resulting from spiritual blindness need not discourage or hinder faithful Christian parents. It ought, however, to produce Nehemiah spirits which pray for and weep over the morally burned and ruined condition of the family sphere.
No career, achievement, service, wealth, hobby or possession is more important or precious than building and maintaining a godly Christian home.
Willing to Be Concerned
Though in captivity, it was well with Nehemiah who had a comfortable life and a good job in pleasant circumstances. He was in the enviable position of being the official cupbearer to the king of Babylon. Keeping the monarch happy, providing him wine and other pleasures, was an agreeable and prominent job. In one way, “the lines had fallen unto him in pleasant places” (Psa. 16:66The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:6)). Still, his heart was bound up with God’s oppressed people in Jerusalem.
If concerned by the family breakdown, parents also must have a concern that the worldliness which leads to this ruin not be allowed to enter the home or affect the family which God has entrusted to you.
Feeling the Failure
“It came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven” (Neh. 1:44And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, (Nehemiah 1:4)).
Hearing of those dismal conditions, Nehemiah wept with a broken heart and contrite spirit. Though comfortable in Babylon, he was humbled (fasting) as in the presence of God he felt the ruin (prayer).
Beloved parents, brokenness of heart, humility of spirit, and submission of will are the starting-point of preservation and blessing for your family. It is a day that requires parents to exercise sober watchfulness: “Let us not sleep.... Let us watch and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:66Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)). “The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:77But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. (1 Peter 4:7)).
Faith in Action
Nehemiah’s prayer is the expression of one who has gone down in the presence of God, and it is the only way to come up with blessing! His prayer, spoken in faith, is full of principles which will bear fruit and joy in your home. Let’s notice and seek grace to apply them in our personal and family lives.
The Key to Blessing
In verse 5, Nehemiah owns that the way to blessing is obedience to God. That is also the only way that a Christian family may be preserved and enjoy God’s blessing unwavering submission and obedience to the precious Word of God. What solemn, eternal issues rest on reading and obeying the Bible, God’s divinely perfect family manual!
Accepting Responsibility
In verse 6, Nehemiah, in suited humility, takes his place as being personally part of the sin and failure that resulted in the sad, ruined condition of Jerusalem and the people of God. He confesses, “We have sinned against Thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.” Nothing less than willingness to recognize one’s personal part in parental failure will bring healing to families wounded and hurting from Satan’s attacks. God honors reality and repentance.
Getting to the Root
In verse 7, Nehemiah unflinchingly details their sin: the root of self-will which led to disobedience of God’s Word. Disobedience to God’s Word will allow Satan to infiltrate and work destruction within the bosom of your family. While not dwelling on parental failures to the extent that one becomes “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2 Cor. 2:77So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (2 Corinthians 2:7)), neither should parents be indifferent to the consequences the family will suffer from self-willed disobedience to God’s Word. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)).
Faith in God’s Promises
In verses 8-10, Nehemiah casts himself fully on God, rehearsing His grace in choosing Israel for blessing, while in mercy preserving them in spite of their disobedience. We also have this same resource of divine grace. May parents constantly avail themselves of our Father’s exhaustless mercies (2 Cor. 1:33Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (2 Corinthians 1:3))!
Resting in God’s Power
Next, Nehemiah casts himself on God’s love and power as the only source of his help. Notice that he does not tell God what should be done about the condition of Jerusalem, but desires that God would direct the “powers that be” so there might be restoration and blessing to that which was ruined. Beloved parents, none has the wisdom to tell God what to do to preserve your families or how to do that work. But you may, in confidence on God, ask for and receive the needed wisdom from above (James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)).
Ed.