If you have not read Part 1 of Spiritual Momentum which we posted last week, please take time now to do so before reading this Part 2 session.
Today we continue with a look at Old Testament events and, in particular, the ministry of Nehemiah. Remember our Christian born-again identity discovers the fullness of the ministry call to function in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us to be witnesses of Him.
Who was Nehemiah? What did he accomplish for God?
Nehemiah is a picture of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. His name means “Yahweh Comforts.” He was clearly an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Nehemiah was taken into captivity when Jerusalem was invaded by Persia. He had gained a position of trust as cupbearer to the king. God had him in the right place at the right time. This book is a declaration of God’s power and our need of it.
When Nehemiah heard of the distress that his people in Jerusalem were in, he wept, fasted, and prayed for many days on behalf of his people. Because of his devotion to God and his intercession, he was granted mercy, favour, and grace.
It is time for the Church to get on its knees and pray like Nehemiah. (Read Nehemiah’s prayer in 1:4-11) God answered Nehemiah’s continued prayers and gave him favour with the king who saw Nehemiah’s sadness. The king gives him letters of authority for the journey and all the materials needed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The enemy tried to hinder the
work of God, but they defied the opposition, withstood, and rebuilt the walls in 52 days. The people “had a mind to work.”
God is calling us to walk in Holy Spirit momentum and encouragement to exalt Jesus. “Is there not a cause?” To understand what He wants us to understand, we have to understand Him. Our call is to be ordained with the ministry of reconciliation – to bring people to Jesus. We must know Jesus and make Him known.
OUR BORN-AGAIN IDENTITY…
- Our born-again identity determines our rights and privileges. We are to be seeking the voice of the living God of “this so great a salvation.” (Hebrews 2:3) We are to be in a constant state of learning.
- Our born-again identity determines the source of our strength. We say, “The joy of the Lord is our strength!” Jesus is our strength. No Jesus, no strength; no Holy Spirit, no strength!
- Our born-again identity determines our purposes: “Is there not a cause?” 1 John 3:8 says, “For this purpose was the Son of God manifest, to destroy the works of the evil one.” In Matthew 6:13, Jesus taught us to pray, “Deliver us from the evil one.”
Watch for the next issue of our publication, when we continue with the empowerment — the momentum — of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jerry
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