“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalms 11:3
Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king, a position of both trust and influence. Despite his prestigious role in a foreign land, his heart remained with his people and his homeland, Jerusalem. The devastating news reached him that Jerusalem lay in ruins; its walls destroyed and gates burned. This news shattered Nehemiah, prompting him to mourn for days. But his story doesn’t end in despair. Nehemiah’s journey from a cupbearer to a rebuilder of walls is a testament to faith, leadership, and the power of prayer.
America’s Spiritual Ruins
Just as Jerusalem’s walls were broken down, America today faces spiritual decline. The verse in Nehemiah 1:3 describes a land in great affliction and reproach, a vivid picture that can be paralleled with America’s spiritual state. Our nation, once strong in its faith foundations, now sees those very foundations questioned and, in places, torn down. Spiritual apathy, moral decay, and a turning away from God’s commandments mirror the physical ruins of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah’s Solution: A Blueprint for America
How Nehemiah addresses the ruin of Jerusalem offers us a clear path to healing and restoration, not just for a city, but for a nation.
True Repentance
Nehemiah’s prayer in verses 6 and 7 showcases a powerful principle: ownership and repentance. He uses “we” acknowledging that both he and his people have sinned. In America, it’s easy to point fingers, blaming others for the spiritual decay. However, Nehemiah teaches us that acknowledgment and repentance must begin with us, the followers of Christ. It’s a call to look inward and confess, “We have sinned against You.”
Praying God’s Promises
Nehemiah recalls God’s promises in his prayer, notably in verse 9. He reminds God of His word to gather His people and bring them to a place chosen for His name, provided they turn back and obey His commands. For Christians today, this principle is equally vital. New Testament verses like Matthew 7:7, John 14:13-14, and 1 John 5:14-15 encourage us to ask, seek, and knock, with the assurance that our prayers aligned with God’s will be heard and answered. We, too, can stand on promises like these, praying for revival, wisdom, and strength to rebuild the spiritual walls in our nation.
Praying for Leaders
Finally, Nehemiah prays for favor in the eyes of his leaders (verse 11). He doesn’t blame the king for Jerusalem’s plight, though I’m sure the King had plenty of faults before God. Instead, Nehemiah seeks God’s intervention to soften the king’s heart. This is a critical lesson for us.
Rather than spending all our time criticizing our government for the decay we have in our country, we’re called to pray for our leaders— that God may guide them according to His will. Ask God to wake them up and shake them to their core until they come into the knowledge of Jesus. Scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:1-2 urge us to pray for all those in authority, emphasizing that godly governance can lead to peaceful and godly lives for all.
Nehemiah’s story is faced with the ruins of his homeland, he didn’t despair or place blame. He turned to God in prayer, confessing his people’s sins, claiming God’s promises, and seeking God’s guidance for his leaders. This approach offers a powerful plan for Christians in America today. By following Nehemiah’s example, we too can play a pivotal role in spiritual revival in our land.
As Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls with prayer, faith, and unity, let us be inspired to rebuild our nation’s spiritual foundations with the same dedication. Let’s take ownership, pray fervently, and act boldly, trusting God to restore and heal our land. Just as the walls of Jerusalem were raised from ruins, so can the spiritual walls of America be fortified, brick by brick, prayer by prayer. It starts with us, the people of faith.
May we, like Nehemiah, be moved by the condition of our land, spurred into action through prayer, and led by God’s guiding hand.