It's Not All About the Wall--The Importance of Transcendent Priorities

The early chapters of the book of Nehemiah are about rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem in spite of heavy opposition (including threats of violence), political hurdles, and other obstacles. 

The wall is EVERYTHING to Nehemiah. 

Nehemiah is living in exile. He’s done well for himself and directly serves the king of the current ruling empire. He receives a report that the walls of Jerusalem are broken down. Nehemiah breaks down in weeping for his people, he prays, and then he jumps into action.

The early chapters of Nehemiah are all about rebuilding the wall.

It’s all hands on deck and literally working round the clock. The potential threat from the outside, from Israel’s enemies, is too great to stop the work.

Getting the wall built is EVERYTHING. ……….until it isn't. 

In chapter 5 he stops the work. He stops the work because he’s facing something worse than an outside threat. It’s an inside threat. There’s now the possibility of getting the wall done and ending up with something not worth protecting. 

So this weekend, as we study this passage, we'll take time to think about some of the projects or goals in our lives that are EVERYTHING to us right now, the things that are absorbing our time and energy and life right now. 

Let’s call whatever this is in your life your wall. It’s the wall you need to complete. It is of absolute importance. 

It was for Nehemiah. It could be an issue of life or death for the Israelites. 

Today’s passage is about recognizing that it's not all about the wall.

It's not all about the wall!

As important as your wall is, it’s not all about the wall. There are more important things than the wall. There are higher priorities. 

Of course, you know this. But how often do you forget while building your wall? 

I do. Frequently!

We need to stop (often) and remind ourselves that’s it’s not all about the wall because we may get the wall and lose something greater, more significant, more important if we’re not careful. 

I hope to see you see you on the weekend. Take time from your wall and worship with us! And invite a friend who, like you, might need this message.

(Spoiler alert: Nehemiah finished the wall. Above is a picture I took last week in Israel. It's a part of that wall. I almost missed it because I was preoccupied with a toilet. Yeah, sorry, but I'll explain this weekend. Pray I make it in time for services because our flight out of Israel has been delayed 24 hours, one more connection has been added to the itinerary, and I see a snowstorm is expected on Saturday in the Twin Cities. On the bright side, I'm getting to write this from a hotel in Jerusalem!) 

Three Ways to Improve Your Prayer Life

by Pastor John Eiselt

“It’s HARD TO PRAY. 

It’s hard enough for many of us to make an honest request to a friend we trust for something we truly need. But when the request gets labeled “praying” and the friend is termed “God,” things often get very tangled up. You’ve heard the contorted syntax, formulaic phrases, meaningless repetition, vague nonrequests, pious tones of voice, and air of confusion. If you talked to your friends and family that way, they’d think you’d lost your mind! But you’ve probably talked that way to God. You’ve known people who treat prayer like a rabbit’s foot for warding off bad luck and bringing goodies. You’ve known people who feel guilty because their quantity of prayer fails to meet some presumed standard. Maybe you are one of those people. 

Prayer—it tends to become a production and a problem.

Life—it’s always a production and a problem. You cycle through your to-do list, your anxieties, distractions, pressures, pleasures, and irritants. 

God—he’s there, somewhere, sometimes. 

Somehow those two problematic productions and the Lord of heaven and earth don’t all get on the same page very often.

But prayer isn’t meant to be a production or a problem. And God is here now. Prayer is meant to be the conversation where your life and your God meet.”

(A Praying Life, Paul E. Miller, Forward by David Powlison)

Have you ever wondered how prayer “works”, or whether or not it “works” at all?

You’re not alone. Quite frankly, after another week filled with yet another unspeakable tragedy, the question of God’s presence, power, and the efficacy of prayer weigh heavily on us all. 

Chances are, you long for a regular experience of prayer that connects you to God and brings you his peace, joy, and empowerment in your daily life. 

This weekend we’re going to look at the life and prayer of Nehemiah to discover three ways to improve our prayer life; not only in how we pray but in how we live connected to the God of the story and bring his presence into the world around us.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash