Missions-in-Focus - Keynote 4: The Power of Revival - A Look at Nehemiah

What this episode covers

Br. Hilvert Wijnholds Points to Consider Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries, Ezra wrote about the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel, while Nehemiah wrote concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and gates. Nehemiah was the king’s cup bearer (Nehemiah 1:11), a common man, where Ezra was a priest, Haggai and Zecharia were prophets and Zerubbabel was of royal descent. God used each of these men to stir up the hearts of His people. Nehemiah gives us the last recorded revival of the returning remnant. We understand that revival begins with God using one man, but it is not that man taking action on his own, but the Lord working deep in his heart! A spiritual revival has at least three things which characterize it: Prayer and repentance, an emphasis on the Word of God and obedience to it, leading to a fresh sense of the presence of God. Nehemiah is no different. There are at least twelve prayers mentioned in this book (1:4-11; 2:4; 4:4-5, 9; 5:19; 6:9; 14; 8:6; 9:5-38; 11:17; 13:14, 22, 29). But the prayer that stands out is the very first prayer of Nehemiah which displays the heart and power of the revival which follows. A second element to the power behind the revival of Nehemiah is showcased for us in chapter 8, when Ezra rises up and reads the Word of God. But he reads it in such a way that the people heard it with understanding, this is mentioned at least six times in chapter eight (8:2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13). Ezra illustrates the importance of teaching the Word in such a way that it caused revival in the hearts of the hearers; “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading“ (8:8). In this we have a lesson for proper exposition of the Word, “they read distinctly from the book“ this is observation - what does it say? Then they, “they gave the sense“ this is interpretation - what does it mean? Lastly, they “helped them to understand the reading“ which is application – how does it apply to me. Throughout this book we see threaded a sense of the very presence of God. This began in Nehemiah’s own heart (Neh. 1:5-7) and was conveyed to the people of God (Neh. 4:13-14), which led to real confession of heart (Neh. 9). Suggested focus: Where the work of revival begins (Nehemiah 1). How the enemy seeks to hinder God’s work in and through His own. Like a roaring lion (Neh. 4) Through compromise (Neh. 6:1-4) Through slander (Neh. 6:5-9) Through threats (Neh. 6:10-14) We cannot organize revival, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from Heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again. - G. Campbell Morgan

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