Tag Archives: Nehemiah

Engaging Our Culture: September 24-When a Group of Misfits Become a Team

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “Night at the Museum”

Bible Verse of the Day:

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. 15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days, Nehemiah 6:11-15.

Biblical Connection:

Larry Daley takes a security job at a local museum. Little does Larry know that all the exhibits in the American Museum of Natural History come life at night. When the golden device that allows this transformation to occur is about to be stolen, this group of misfits start working together. Like a coach, Larry leads all the characters to save this device and keep it at the museum.

Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the King of Persia. Upon hearing the news of the demise of Jerusalem, Nehemiah fasts and prayers for 3 months. Following this time, God gives Nehemiah a vision of how to rebuild the walls surrounding Jerusalem. Nehemiah gathered the people who lived near their part of Jerusalem’s wall, using each to create a successful team of workers to finish in 52 days.

Closing Song:

As a former coach, some of my teams didn’t have the talent of others. Yet when you can get a group of individuals to buy into a common goal, even a collection of misfits can become a team.

by Jay Mankus

Start Fighting on Your Knees

Affray, battles, conflict, defensives, riot, skirmish and violence are all words associated with fighting. Fights could be physical in nature where two opponents come together to settle a score. On the other hand, fights tend to be more passive aggressive where individuals practice back biting using gossip and slander as a weapon. In a letter to the Church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul urges Christians to start fighting on their knees, Ephesians 6:10-20.

When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven, And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness, and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments, Nehemiah 1:4-5.

Upon receiving news of Israel’s defeat at the hands of Babylon, Nehemiah immediately lifts up his troubles to the Lord. Feeling helpless as a servant to the king of Persia, Nehemiah weeps, mourns, fasts and prays. When you’re not in a position to take action, your next best option is to start fighting on your knees. According to chapter 1, Nehemiah fasted and prayed for 4 months until he received a clear vision on how to respond to this dire situation.

Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to listen to the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You day and night for the Israelites, Your servants, confessing the sins of the Israelites which we have sinned against You. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses, Nehemiah 1:6-7.

In the 2015 film War Room, the tradition of Nehemiah is brought to light in a modern manner. An elderly woman of prayer develops a relationship with a younger woman whose family is falling a part. I guess when someone is desperate, you’ll try anything to turn your life around. Subsequently, this war room is a quiet place in your house that is devoted strictly to prayer. Once established in your current residence, you too can start fighting on your knees.

by Jay Mankus