28 October 2011

Psalm 40, 54; Neh. 2:1-20; Rev. 6:12-7:4; Matt. 13:24-30

Nehemiah was a close confidant of the king, one trusted with overseeing the wine and therefore one who had to be trustworthy as he had the ability to poison the king. He was expected always to be joyful simply because he was in the presence of the king so the sadness of his heart was to be overcome by virtue of being with the king. For his countenance to be downcast could prove costly to Nehemiah thus his response, “Let the king live forever!” Before he made his request known to the king, he prayed (v. 4). The king granted Nehemiah’s request after he made his return date certain, the king wanted him back, this was not permanent. Right at the outset we see opposition outside the came with Sanballat and Tobiah, the villains of the book. Nehemiah doesn’t start anything until he has sized up the problem for himself. He spent three days in Jerusalem prior to inspecting the situation and then didn’t tell the officials what was in his heart or that he had the king’s permission and favor in the matter. He kept his own counsel.

The parable of the wheat and weeds tells us that we are a mixed bag in the church and in that it is no different from Jesus’ words that some will come at the end and say they have done things in His Name and He will say, depart from me, I never knew you. The weeds looked like wheat until the time for harvest came and then they produced no grain. A wise man knew that in the end it would all get sorted out, in the growing season there was always a risk of pulling up the wheat with the weeds. Patience is not typically our strong suit, we want to make decisions now rather than waiting for the proper time when we can get it right. The Lord is patient and sometimes that is painful for us but His timing is always exactly the right timing. The people of Jerusalem, for instance, had waited many years before Nehemiah came to rebuild the walls.

The judgments of God are poured out on His creation, that which was perfect, which He said was very good. He brings ruin on creation because of us, what we brought into perfection, sin and death. The judgment first brings fear on the inhabitants of earth, small and great alike, cowering in fear to be hidden from Him, knowing that no one can stand in the day of His judgment. Four angels hold back the winds from the corners of the earth, can you imagine the sound of this stillness? Then comes the proclamation from another angel to wait and bring no further destruction on the earth until the remnant is sealed on the forehead. Wait, the most difficult word in our vocabulary.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Tune