Nehemiah

Recently I finished reading several books: The books of Nehemiah and Esther in the Scriptures and the books Amusing Ourselves To Death and The Disappearance of Childhood both by Neil Postman.  I have been so blessed, informed, and awakened to our current disintegration of our entire culture.  What is interesting about the truths that I have been able to discover is that they came at a time in my life that I was enduring enormous spiritual cleansing from the Lord...a form a chastisement that I have not experienced in a long time.  But whom the Lord loves He chastens...the author of the book of Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) goes on to say that,

 

  "Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised thereby."

 

Well, I have sure had my exercise lately.  The way you will know that you are learning what you need to learn is that you will experience peace.  No peace, no resolution, no restoration…it really is as simple as that.  When in the midst of conflict it is so difficult to see another’s shortcomings and sins.  We have been hurt and wounded and can see only the faults of others. If they only could realize how much we desire to love and serve them; but they trample and reject our love and somehow distort their own sin and make it seem as if we were the cause.  So many experience this exact scenario but so many are never able to obtain the peaceable fruit of righteousness.  Why?  Because they were unable to follow the rest of the instruction in Hebrews:

 

”Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

 

There is the first instruction.  Stop moping and feeling sorry for yourself and do something.  Particularly, lift up your hands.  Why?  It is a form of surrender and worship to God.  The feeble knees: start moving and doing something positive…start serving…one foot in front of the other.  Otherwise, depression and discouragement will set in and overtake you.  Listen to the rest of the verse:

 

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby, many be defiled;”

 

Following peace and holiness are the key.  Even when we think we are right and have been so wronged, the way toward reconciliation is to be a peacemaker and respond with a self controlled holy behavior; it is then that the life-changing grace of God becomes operative once again in our lives.  To remain in our sorrow and sadness is to invite bitterness which will without doubt destroy relationships.  Just as Christ was the initiator and reconciler for us, so we too must follow His steps.

 

Oh, the books…let’s talk about them next time….but I would highly recommend ever parent to read the Disappearance of Childhood by Postman.