Nehemiah 2:8b ‘…the gracious hand of my God was upon me’
I grew up in a city with three Cathedrals. The 1960s Cathedral in Coventry stands next to the bombed out shell of its predecessor, built 400 years after the original. Although there is little left of the old cathedrals, their history is alive in the documents and stories that stretch back as far as 700AD. I like to sit in the burned out shell of the old cathedral looking at the prominent cross formed of charred timber. It reminds me that the site marks the journey of a city’s Christian heritage, determined to raise a cross for God’s glory, out of war torn ruin.
Nehemiah heard of the collapse of his home city and couldn’t rest. It bothered him to the point of unhappiness (2:1). King Artaxerxes saw this was sadness of heart and responded by offering help (2:2-4). Armed with permission and resources (2:7-8a) Nehemiah set off to restore the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah can appear a clever negotiator, a man operating out of the favour of his employer. Yet notice he acknowledges it is God’s will and favour not the King’s that made the resourcing and rebuilding possible (2:8b).
There are times we may look at our lives and find some area once given to glorify God, prayer routines, bible study, care giving, and now they are in need for some reconstruction. It’s with the gracious hand of God that our brokenness is restored to His glory.
Is there a part of your life once familiar with bringing glory to God awaiting some attention? I wonder what it might be that needs to be helped in restoring a lost foundation?
My prayer today is this: God, you know where brokenness resides in me and from where I want to glorify your name. Help me see the rubble, find the resources and restore my brokenness. Amen
Rob Wykes 