EM Worship (1/21/18)

[Summary]
Nehemiah is the story of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. However, the wall in that era is not just a wall. It was very essential element for the community. Therefore, the story of Nehemiah is the story of rebuilding the community.
God rebuilds his community through a man who has love. Nehemiah was the cupbearer of Artaxerxes who was the king of Persia. Because of that, he was supposed to know what's going on in the country. So he asked his brother, Hanani from Jerusalem what looks like in Jerusalem (v.2). When he heard that they are in great trouble, it wasn't just helpful information for him to know. It touched his heart. So he wept, mourned, and fasted (v.4) Why? Because he had love for his people. And God chose him to rebuild his community.
God rebuilds his community through a man who pray. Nehemiah when he had a burden in his heart, he bring it to God, and prayed. His prayer was to the living God who is great and awesome. And he prayed and repented as if he was responsible for it. It is easy to blame others but it is hard to include himself to those who are responsible. Yet, he did that.
And God rebuilds his community through those who are willing to make sacrifice. In verse 11,  Nehemiah has a plan already in his mind. That's why he was praying to God. He was ready to risk everything he has (reputation, career, money and power) as a cupbearer. 
As we try to build EM community, we should be like Nehemiah, so that God can work through us.