NEHEMIAH 13:31

I believe it is safe to say that nobody wants to be forgotten. Yet that is often the case. We work, we labor, we sacrifice, but oftentimes our contributions are soon overlooked and forgotten. If we are not careful, this can really get to our spirit and can cause us to become bitter and discouraged. It can hurt to the core. I think sometimes that’s how many of our older retired ministers and people feel. May God help us to realize that what we do to others shall also be done to us.

Therefore, it is with great interest that we observe how the book of Nehemiah concludes. After all the remarkable and historic work Nehemiah performs for the rebuilding and reestablishment of Jerusalem, he makes an urgent appeal for God to remember him. It ends with these dramatic and powerful words “. . . Remember me, O my God, for good” (Nehemiah 13:31). The truth is, it is an honor to be remembered by one’s peers and those who come behind us but may we always keep in mind that people have short memories and often do not compensate or reward us adequately. They quickly forget and move on. They sometimes trivialize or downplay what we have done, but the Almighty never does.

May we keep in mind the absolutely key role Nehemiah played in engineering and orchestrate this project from inception to completion. It probably would not have happened without him. He conceptualized it. He envisioned it. He petitioned God and interceded on behalf of his generation and his forefathers. He went into sackcloth and ashes repenting and confessing (Nehemiah 1:4). He literally laid his life on the line and renounced his place and position of favor to go and actually spearhead this extremely arduous task of rebuilding the walls and re-establishing temple worship in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2: 5-11). Against great odds and all opposing forces he refused to be deferred or hindered as he inspired the remnant to arise and build (Nehemiah 1: 4 – 6). He was a builder, restorer, and reformer. He was severely criticized, condemned, opposed, and challenged, but with a determination of steel and unabatable zeal, he persisted until, in record time, 52 days, the walls of Jerusalem were completely rebuilt.

The more the opposition intensified, the more Nehemiah prayed and encouraged the brethren to look heavenward. Nehemiah never got it twisted. He never lost sight of the fact that it was the great and terrible God who had commissioned him and who accompanied and sustained him, giving him repeated victory and power over every opposing force and demonic interference. When opposing forces rose from within, he remained stubbornly fearless. He was so sure his cause was right and that being the case, God would fight for them (Nehemiah 4:20).

Nehemiah was met many times with coldness, suspicion, disregard, backbiting, and opposition, not just from outside but oftentimes from his own brethren. However, Nehemiah brilliantly teaches us not to look horizontally for our affirmation and reward. He similarly prays in Nehemiah 5:19 – “Think upon me, my God for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” Brethren, let us stop hankering for praise, recognition, and recompense from our fellow men. That’s a sure recipe for disappointment, misery, and bitterness. We simply pray and plead like Nehemiah “. . . Remember me, O my God, for good” (Nehemiah 13:31). God never forgets!