“…They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work”
(Nehemiah 2: 18)
The world has been turned upside down by this vicious corona virus. All our lives have had to change to protect ourselves and others. Jobs have been lost. Children denied school and fun playing with friends. Old people shut away from family even though they struggle with the last days of dying, it feels as if our lives are in pieces and over all the chaos is fear of what the future holds. Emotions have become raw and deep, down resentment has erupted and ugly racism has surfaced and made us all rethink of our own values, especially when we are followers of Jesus. So how will we pick up the pieces when life returns?
The story of Nehemiah is a wonderful example of how the children of Israel rallied behind Nehemiah to do just that, rebuild after chaos. They had been exiled to Persia, but a few tribes had been able to stay, but life was nothing like before they were conquered. Jerusalem was in ruins the walls knocked down and those left behind constantly being attacked. 
Nehemiah was a cup bearer to the king of Persia and after Nehemiah learnt what was happening to his fellow countrymen he prayed to God and begged him to have pity on them. After praying Nehemiah was brave enough to as k the King could he go back to Jerusalem. When he returned, he filled the people with hope and told them their gracious God was with them they banded together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. They were taunted by their enemies, but Nehemiah reminded them.
“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your daughters.” (Nehemiah 4: 14)
In the midst of the chaos we are experiencing, we too are finding those who are negative and full of dire possibilities of what is to come e.g. life will never be the same, we will have this virus for years, our children will always be damaged , our economy will be ruined. We need to listen to the writer of Ecclesiastes.
“… a time to tear down and a time to build.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 3)
When we rebuild, we need to look again how Nehemiah helped the people to have the energy to rebuild. Firstly, trust in our gracious God and allow him to direct us. Secondly, work together and bring about harmony with those we have been made aware of during this crisis, those who are different from us, the disadvantaged, the old who need tender care, not neglect or abuse. The lonely neighbours we were not aware of until we found out they have nobody to shop for them.
Often when we need to rebuild, we need to use new bricks that will give us a firm foundation, so let us plan ahead to use new ways in our lives to correct the mistakes we have been making, so when the time comes, we will build with enthusiasm and remember Jesus’ words
“My command is this. Love each another as I have loved you.” (John 15: 12)
We are living through the world being in turmoil and then added to his terrifying plague, corona virus, we are plunged into the chaos of ugly racism sweeping through the U.S.A. Racism has long been there, but the threat of perhaps, death through the virus, has frayed nerves and emotions have risen to the surface demanding that we all face the truth about what people are suffering and rightly so. We as God’s people need to look closely at how we view others and how we can be holy as the Lord told us, (Leviticus 11: 45) the definition of holy, means to be set apart. I feel this means that we are not influenced by what the world says, but we are guided by what God’s word says, we are to be different and stand out as those who spread love not hatred.
Paul also entreats the believers to look beyond what they think is important to them and to be aware of how others look at their lives and to realise what is important to them
Just recently, before the COVID19 had happened, I was at a church luncheon and I chose to sit at a table at which I knew nobody. The tables seated eight people and when all had sat down, one gentleman began the conversation with this thoughtful idea. He said we all have a story let us share our stories so we can relate to each other. 
This is such a comfort to all of us who love the Lord. He knows all our stories. We don’t have to pretend to him how wonderful we are. We don’t have to pretend we are okay when we are broken hearted. We don’t have to be ashamed of what we have done, we can come to him and be forgiven and have a fresh start to a new fresh story and when it involves him actively, it takes on a new quite different path. One of joy and contentment about who we are, and the other exciting part is we join Jesus’ story.
Apprehension, anxiety, fear of the future is sweeping over many parts of the world and lockdowns and isolation is heightening these feeling in many people but for those already struggling with depression it has an even more powerful affect. I have a young friend who is caught in this dilemma and finding it very difficult to cope. I was praying for her early one morning and then I went to read the passage set for my Bible study and it was these beautiful words from the Lord spoken through the prophet, Isaiah, (Isaiah 43: 1-2) sent to God’s people to comfort them as they were struggling in difficult times. As I finished reading them, I felt these words were meant for my young friend.
The Lord constantly reminded the children of Israel, and the reminders are still relevant for us, that He cares for us whatever situation we find ourselves in and that he is always nearby, never too busy to listen. All we need do is talk to him and tell him the fears that are assailing us
When we think of the word, generous, we often associate it with money, but it can also be used to describe actions as well as the gift of money. The world is reeling from the effects of this ugly virus stealing from us our loved ones, denying us our normal routine, taking away jobs and robbing us of the social contact we all need so much with friends and family. Fear and panic sometimes bring out the worst in humanity, such as the me first attitude that results in hoarding food and essential items, but it can also bring out the love that Jesus entreated his disciples and of course all believers who have followed him, to practice.
We are living in a world filled with fear and panic. The spread of this ugly virus is sweeping through the world and the media is filling us with more dread every day as the numbers grow and strict rules come into play which are limiting our social contact with others which is so necessary for our human spirits . Even our churches are closed for worship. What we need to remember is that we do not need a building to talk to our Heavenly Father. He is ready always to hear our fears, to comfort us with his love, to help us make decisions, to direct our paths and he loves for us to tell him how much we love him, all we need to do is to pray to him. 
We have many powerful stories in the Old Testament, that tell us of how the children of Israel were involved in terrifying situations, often visiting armies, with vast numbers of soldiers far outnumbering them, attacking them. When they remembered to cry out to God, he answered them by reminding them that he was with them and always would be, so when we cry out to him, he does the same for us. He reminds them that the battle is not theirs but his (2 Chronicles 20: 17) so too for us. We cannot possibly defeat what happens, but we can hand the battle over to him so that fear does not paralyze us.
Father to our families, our friends and we can still use the phone the internet to send out the gospel so spirits will be lifted and despair will not take over
The terrible corona virus that is sweeping through the world is bringing chaos to travelers and even to virtually making people prisoners in their own homes or to keeping passengers confined to their cabins on cruise ships which have infected passengers aboard. I was watching one such passenger discussing his plight over the internet with a reporter and he was describing his feelings of being those of prisoners in jail and all he could think of was, when he would finally be set free.
The Pharisees took offence at what Jesus was saying and hotly denied being slaves to anyone, not understanding what Jesus was really meaning by being trapped by sin and being enslaved by many parts of their lives that inhibited them from discovering the joy of being able to shake off those ugly thoughts and actions that were eating away at their very beings not allowing them to run with that great sense of freedom.
I was chatting to my sister, who lives in Australia, just recently and she couldn’t wait to tell me about a surprising story about her birthday celebration. A friend had invited her to lunch on her birthday at a very expensive restaurant set in a beautiful setting overlooking the beach. Both enjoyed a lovely meal with each other as they had been friends for many years. When my sister’s friend asked for the bill, they were amazed when the waiter told them it had been paid. They were very touched by the person’s kindness and left the restaurant with lifted spirits in the fact that in this present world of, a “me first” attitude, someone would think of someone else to bless with an act of kindness
This is exactly what the giver to my sister and her friend did. Giving does not always have to be in the form of money. Giving our time for somebody else is also a gift of kindness. My sister visits an old lady in a home and reads to her. No money is involved, but lots of kindness is.
One of my granddaughters had applied for a new exciting job just recently, and after several interviews, she heard the good news that her application had been accepted. We all rejoiced with her at the good news. I was watching a fascinating documentary a few weeks ago on the TV that was dealing with the importance of being accepted, it is very important for the vulnerable ones in our society, such as new immigrants, the mentally challenged, the disabled. The program I was watching was focusing on young immigrants. By learning how to play hockey they had a wonderful tool to help young ones find friends and feel acceptance with their peer group. The young man coaching the youngsters gave a wonderful testimony as to what this had done for him, when he was a lonely newcomer to Canada. The participants were provided with used but good hockey equipment to get them started. I loved the looks of joy on their faces
think that God doesn’t accept us as true followers. God assures us that yes in his eyes we are certainly accepted, in fact the Lord is not influenced by appearances, he is more interested in our hearts. If we have a heart that loves the Father and his word, we are certainly accepted
practicing what the word of God says. When the reverse happens, bickering and division, we cast doubts about the truth of being followers of Jesus. Paul puts it very clearly…
Just recently I had the most incredible example of what the Lord was saying to Isaiah when he said his people would be covered with the shadow of his hands. I was scheduled for an eye operation and as I had had a terrible result from the first operation on the other eye that left it damaged, I was very nervous about the outcome of this one. I asked my Bible study and friends to pray for me on the day of my operation and an amazing thing happened, as I lay on the operating table the nurse wrapped me in a warm blanket and suddenly I felt a wonderful sense of calm and felt the Holy Spirit was standing right beside me. I felt covered in prayer
The most important part of being protected is firstly asking the Lord for that Heavenly and then accepting it. Too often we take things into our own hands, thinking we can handle any thing that comes along. When we do this and not pray and not ask for prayer from other believers, we are ignoring and dismissing that wonderful offer of being covered with the mighty hand of God as we face life’s challenges. Coming from a hot country, Australia, we knew if we were not covered in sun cream or protective clothing, we would certainly get sunburnt, how foolish we are not to accept the beautiful covering of God’s protection in any situation we are in.
