The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Nehemiah 1:1-6, “The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol,

2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

3 They said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.’

4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5 I said, ‘I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.’”

I well remember attending a basketball game, when the loud speaker announced that a man’s house in a neighboring city was on fire. I saw the man arise immediately and head for the door and for home!

Our passage above speaks of Nehemiah, a Jew, who was serving in Persia (Iran) when he learned of the trouble in Jerusalem. Immediately, he commenced to pray and seek the LORD concerning the matter. He then sought and gained permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem with men and resources for rebuilding the wall and parts of the city that had been destroyed.

When we learn of emergent difficulties –even life-threatening situations—our first incentive is to get help. Yet, seeking the LORD’s intervention, (however difficult or urgent the situation), ought always to be our primary activity. His resources are ever-present—closer than police, ambulance or whatever human help is available. Prayer is our first and most powerful line of offence! What’s more, the LORD has Divine insight and ability far exceeding all we might know or think!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have. – Corrie ten Boom