1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,900
Day 128, or May the 8th.

2
00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:07,280
When things look down, look up.

3
00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:12,080
Our thoughts today are from Nehemiah chapter 5 verse 19.

4
00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:17,960
Remember me with favour, my God, for all I have done for these people.

5
00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:21,960
Another big picture surrounding this verse.

6
00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:26,780
Nehemiah's wall-building project certainly brought more than its fair share of criticism

7
00:00:26,780 --> 00:00:28,160
and opposition.

8
00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:34,240
However, he remained a fine example of an unselfish man who was simply trying his best

9
00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,320
to do what God was asking of him.

10
00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:43,400
Despite encountering much opposition in the shape of extortion, compromise, slander, and

11
00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:50,960
treachery, Nehemiah remains faithful throughout it all, and finally sees the wall around Jerusalem

12
00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,920
completed in record time.

13
00:00:53,920 --> 00:01:02,160
In just 52 days he completes a project that would take many months if attempted today.

14
00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,960
And now our action step for today.

15
00:01:04,960 --> 00:01:08,940
At first reading, Nehemiah's prayer sounds very selfish.

16
00:01:08,940 --> 00:01:14,320
He seems to be saying, Lord bless me, and that can't be right, can it?

17
00:01:14,320 --> 00:01:17,840
Surely we pray for others rather than ourselves.

18
00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:24,260
However, it was Nehemiah who needed prayer support, as criticism and negativity came

19
00:01:24,260 --> 00:01:29,680
close to engulfing him, as he laboured to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

20
00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:32,960
Praying for himself seemed the right thing to do.

21
00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:38,680
When the Lord Jesus was asked to teach his disciples how to pray, part of the reply,

22
00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:44,360
which was later called the Lord's Prayer, included words like, Give us today our daily

23
00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:51,880
bread, forgive us our debts, lead us not into temptation, deliver us from the evil one.

24
00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:58,080
These are specific prayers for self and others, whereas Nehemiah simply prays for himself

25
00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,460
as the one in particular need at the time.

26
00:02:01,460 --> 00:02:06,420
Those of us who are earthly fathers want to hear from our children even if they're only

27
00:02:06,420 --> 00:02:08,600
asking for something.

28
00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:14,320
Our Heavenly Father loves to hear from us even if, all too often, we present him with

29
00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:17,160
a long list of wants.

30
00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:23,560
When you next feel down or in need of encouragement, don't be afraid to pray for yourself, as

31
00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:40,400
this often leads to you praying for others too.