Renovation of the Heart

Text: Nehemiah 8:1-10
Title: Renovation of the Heart
1/24/10 Clarksville

All that was left of the walls which once stood as a sentinel of safety over the city were random piles of rock and rubble. And as it turned out, the walls weren’t the only thing broken. Most of the Jews living in Jerusalem were exiled to Babylon, forced to live in a land that was not their own. Among them was Nehemiah, a man of integrity who served as cupbearer to Artaxerxes, the King of Babylon. He was serving in that position when his brothers returned from Judah with a report about the condition of their home city. When he heard the news, Nehemiah’s heart, like the walls of the city and will of his people, was broken. He wept bitter tears. He prayed and fasted (1:4-5). He pleaded with God to give him success in going back to Jerusalem to attempt a renovation project that appeared impossible. He wanted to rebuild the walls.
Nehemiah found favor with God, and with the Babylonian King, who not only granted him permission to return to Jerusalem and made sure Nehemiah would have protection getting there, he also gave him all the provisions he needed to get the wall rebuilt. When Nehemiah arrived in the city he found it just as his brothers had described. It was in ruins. He rode all the way around it surveying the damage, which was extensive. Fortunately the foundation was still there and they had something to build on, but it was going to take a lot of work to complete this renovation which some thought was impossible. Nehemiah rallied the people who remained, shared the vision of a restored city and renovated wall, and the strategy for making it happen. Everyone was going to help. Everyone. Each person was assigned a section of the wall closest to where they lived and with that, the renovation effort began.

Renovation projects are exciting. Whether it’s a city (like marina in Clarksville), a house, or a church, there is something exhilarating when old things are made new. It’s even more exciting when what’s old and being made new is a life, but it isn’t too hard to get pumped up about a building project. If you haven’t had a chance to look around, the first part of the renovation we’re doing here (adult area SS rooms) has been completed and it looks great. We’re getting ready now to enter into a big, messy, chaotic stage of the remodel as we move into the gym area. It’s going to be great when it’s all finished. Progress is being made and I’m excited about these visible changes.

Typically a renovation or building project has some unexpected curves that keep things exciting. We haven’t really hit any of those yet but I’m sure somewhere along the way it’s going to happen. While some of it is to be expected, the goal is to keep the challenges and change orders to a minimum and just get the work done. That was the goal when the renovation project started in Jerusalem too, but it wasn’t long before they encountered some excitement that came in the form of opposition from neighboring nations. To tell you the truth, that’s a bit of an understatement. The reality was they were surrounded by opposition. Literally. I think pretty much every time God says “build it up” the enemy says “tear it down.” When you know you’re doing what God has led you to do - whether it’s serve someone, teach a class, start to tithe, build a new relationship, try to restore and old one, or whatever - opposition is usually a good sign you’re on the right track. Nehemiah and the Jerusalem Jews who were all pitching in to get the wall renovated not only had the chore of making a new wall out of the ruins, they also had the challenge to be battle-ready. When the threats and opposition came, Nehemiah directed them to keep right on working. With a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other these inspired builders worked as if their lives depended on it and in miraculous fashion, the renovation project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget! I like the sounds of that - ahead of schedule and under budget ?. 52 days. That was all it took and the renovation project was completed. Well, almost.

It was an exciting time for the whole city, just as it is going to be for us when our renovation project is done. The wall was up, security set in stone, and for the first time in years, they were able to sleep with some peace of mind.

But as Nehemiah took a good look not only at the wall but what was inside it, it was apparent to him, and to Ezra (the prophet and spiritual leader of the city) that while the renovation had been a magnificent success, the city was still in ruins. In the years of exile and defeat, the walls weren’t the only thing that had been broken. The political, social, and spiritual stones that once stood strong and firm had been dismantled as well.

No matter how good, how positive, how exciting the renovation project was, there was no way in the world some new walls could compensate for a lack of worship, and forgotten Word. No matter how good or exciting, productive or necessary it may be, there is no way in the world new walls can ever compensate for a lack of worship and forgotten Word.

So they added one more piece to the renovation project. They built a platform. A wooden platform that towered above the people near the Water Gate. As the carpenters worked and the people watched, a sense of anticipation began to rise even faster than the platform. Something started to stir in the hearts of the people. It was hunger. Spiritual hunger - a hunger to hear the Word that had been neglected, to participate in worship that had been forgotten. They were hungry to enter into worship and devour the Word. Fortunately, the foundation was already there for a major renovation, this time not of the wall around a city, but of the hearts within a people.

They watched with expectation and as soon as the platform was complete, the people assembled beneath it. It was early in the morning when they called out to Ezra, “Bring on the Word, Ezra, we want to hear it!” I think it would be pretty cool if that’s what happened before sermons at Grace ?. “Bring on the Word, Pastor Steve, or Pastor Dwayne, we want to hear it!” I have no idea how long it had been since they’d heard the Word read, but I do know this, they were hungry for it, ready to receive it, anxious to apply it. They were so hungry for it that when Ezra got started in the morning they didn’t want him to quit. Not after one hour, two, three, or even four. For somewhere between 5-6 hours Ezra read and the people listened - attentively (I didn’t make that up - it says so right here in Neh. 8:3!) Surrounded by 13 men who helped explain and interpret the Scripture to the people, Ezra read and the people praised. They didn’t have to be told or asked or directed to do anything but when the Word was opened, the people spontaneously stood, lifted their hands and bowed their faces before God in a display of total submission and worship. (8:5-6)

When the sacred Scripture was read, it was Ezra’s mouth but God’s voice the people heard, and it was powerful. As Ezra read, God revealed. God revealed to them how they had been guilty of breaking the Law, neglecting worship and the Word. It became evident to all of them that the wall wasn’t the only thing that had been in ruins. The Word, sharper than any double-edged sword, was cutting to the heart, piercing the darkness with the light of truth like a surgeon’s scalpel. That happens all the time if we let it. God continues to speak to us through His inspired Word in pointed, specific, decisive ways and when He does, it generates a response. We receive it or reject it. Own it or ignore it. We accept it or get offended by it, but we can’t remain neutral. When the renovators of Jerusalem felt the Sword of the Spirit touching the dark places of their souls, they welcomed it like a long lost friend. As Ezra read the truth about God, they saw the truth about themselves and they were filled with remorse. Regret. Repentance. How could we have let this happen? Our relationship with God that used to be so strong and secure has become rubble and ruins. The walls aren’t all that has been broken. Maybe you can relate. “How did I get so far away? How did I ever get to the point where worship was neglected and the Word forgotten? How? I used to have such a strong relationship with God but that rock-solid relationship has been reduced to rubble and ruin. That must have been what the people of Jerusalem were asking themselves. Tears streamed down their faces even as fountains of forgiveness were welling up all around them, for the same Word that brought conviction also carried the good news of forgiveness. God wasn’t just into remodeling city walls. He wanted to bring about a renovation of the heart, and they were more than ready to let Him do it. Are you?

Response: Hungry

Benediction: May we say with the Psalmist:
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 16 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Ps. 119:10-16