The Church in Disarray (1)

We looked at the opening verses of Nehemiah. This new series is a continuation from the book of Ezra. 13 years have passed since Ezra had left Babylon to come to Jerusalem. Ezra 10 closes with the confession of sin by those that had illegal marriages. Although the sin was great, the mercy of God is greater and the people of God are still in Jerusalem. However, things in Jerusalem were not good. We considered how Zion is a picture of the Church. Although Nehemiah was in Shushan he had a concern for his people in Judah and his beloved Zion. He makes inquiry of the state of things at Jerusalem. We saw how we should be concerned for Christ's Church in every place. We are part of the one body of believers. When we see the Church in a place being in disarray, we should not be proud, or delighting in its demise, we should not jump to conclusions, nor should we bury our head in the sand and state it has nothing to do with us. Nehemiah shows us a great example - he was interested in the good and prosperity of the Church, and he genuinely sorrowed as he saw it in disarray. May we follow this example.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. - Psalm 122:6-7