I recently read through the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. The walls of Jerusalem had been broken down and the gates burned with fire. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the King of Persia. A cupbearer was a trusted officer of the King's court. He was dependable and courageous. The King needed him. When Nehemiah heard about the destruction upon Jerusalem he cried and fasted and prayed.
“LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:5-11)
When Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem's walls of protection being destroyed, he asked the King if he could go to rebuild the fortifications to protect his beloved city. The King allowed Nehemiah to leave and even protected him on his journey to Jerusalem. When he arrived in Jerusalem and had inspected the walls, he told them he would help rebuild.
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. (Nehemiah 2:17-19)
Now there were many out in the world who did not want to see Jerusalem rebuilt or protected. They plotted against Nehemiah's success. But the plots of the enemies were frustrated through prayer to God. Nehemiah and the ones helping to rebuild worked with one hand and held onto their weapons with the other, just in case of an attack. (Nehemiah 4)
When I look at my situation, with the walls of my marriage detroyed and the gates burned down, I get comfort and confidence from the example of Nehemiah. He asked for help and prayed and fasted. I also see similarities in standing for marital restoration and in what Nehemiah faced with the enemies of Jerusalem. Those enemies did not want to see the walls rebuilt. But the work continued, with the workers building with one hand and being always prepared for battle by holding their weapons with the other. Restoration of our marital walls can occur likewise through the rebuilding of our relationship with God while we hold onto His Word, ready for battle against the enemy.
In a miraculous fashion, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in a period of 52 days. Only through God's help could this happen. And it happened because God wanted it to happen. It was His will and he used his servant Nehemiah to make it happen.
Be like Nehemiah, a courageous, trusted, and dependable servant to Our Lord. Follow his example of prayer and fasting. Set out to do the work of God and make sure you are prepared for the battle with God's Word always at the ready. Allow God to rebuild your marital walls in a miraculous fashion.
