CSI CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA NEEDS NEHEMIAH

 

CSI CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA NEEDS NEHEMIAH

When Babylonians invaded Judah, they carried the people off in exile, razed the city and destroyed the temple at Jerusalem. When the people returned after many years, they rebuilt the altar in the midst of the ruined temple to worship God. People, who remembered Solomonn’s original, spectacular temple, compared it with the new, rather pathetic looking replacement. 

They wept.

Similarly, when we look at the inadequacy of our own lives compared to the wonder of Jesus, we too might respond with tears.

Nehemiah prayed, “Turn their insults back on their own heads. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults.’’

Nehemiah was challenged to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In one of the most amazing accounts of leadership, perseverance and courage Nehemiah rallies the people to rebuild the walls in just 52 days.

Obviously, rebuilding of the walls meant that the city security would be enhanced. Those who had benefitted from the rather lax security that prevailed up until this point, in that they were able to come and plunder the city any time they felt like doing so, were less than thrilled that the work was progressing swiftly.

Sanballat and Tobiah are derisive of the attempts to rebuild the walls. They are contemptuous of the Israelites’ efforts in this regard because their criminal livelihood is threatened. They respond to the threat by trying to make it as hard as possible for the work to proceed.

While we understand that CSI is fragile, we should always remember that CSI on the right track will not be celebrated by everybody. And there are even those for whom CSI on the right track will be a threat.

Opposition to CSI on the right track is real. We have our own Sanballats and Tobiahs, who come and plunder CSI any time they feel like doing so.

Nehemiah shows us the way:

Pray and leave the opponents in God’s hand. 

Continue the work.

Please do not be distracted.

When we are ridiculed or opposed, leave the issue in God’s hands.  

Leave room for God to act.