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Nehemiah was a cupbearer for Artaxerxes I of Persia. He was an officer of high rank and was held in high esteem by the most powerful person on the face of the earth. But here he is sad in the presence of Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was merely showing on his face the much deeper anguish and sorrow of his heart. The sadness of Nehemiah began when he heard about the state of the Jews and the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was concerned about the LORD and the honor of His name. Nehemiah was grieved because he knew what the people of God were called to be. He knew what the people of God had been at one time. But now they were a distressed and reproached remnant. Nehemiah was also grieved because Jerusalem had been the dwelling place of the kings of Israel and the city of the living God! But now it was broken down and the gates of the city were burned with fire. Nehemiah longed for the restoration of God\\u2019s people, he longed for the restoration of the place of God\\u2019s dwelling upon the earth. Four months of weeping, mourning, fasting, and praying go by and then God in His providence opens up an opportunity. Artaxerxes asks Nehemiah what he requests. Nehemiah asks Artaxerxes for an opportunity to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and he allows him to go. After his arrival in Jerusalem Nehemiah observes the city of Jerusalem in ruins by night. But he sees past the destruction that is before him. Instead he had a vision based on the promises of God. No matter what the city of Jerusalem currently looked like he saw by faith what it could become by the LORD\\u2019s power. He then calls on the people of Israel to rise up and build. Fix your eyes on God and vision He has given.

Click here to listen: Rise Up and Build'