7Jan 10
An Example of Patriotism
posted by
Facts for Patriots – January 2010
I’ve been studying the scriptural basis for patriotism for the last couple of months. I came across a fascinating example of true patriotism solidly built upon faith and love for God. It’s from the Old Testament. May it inspire you as it did for me:
Years upon years had passed. The gloomy scenes seemed steadfast and everlasting. They suffered, some captivity in a strange land, others meagerly living in their homeland; and all under the judgments of God for their past wickedness. Their homeland was torn by war, devastated through greed and avarice, and ruled by selfish men. The walls of their cities were broken down and their temple in ruins. To make it all worse, of all the nations and people, this happened to them, the Israelites, the one nation chosen by God.
How were these dismal scenes to be handled and perceived? Was there any qualified substance worthy to hope in? Answers to these questions are found in the life of Nehemiah. He being the former cupbearer to the King whose nation conquered the Israelites.
Some of the first words we hear from Nehemiah come in the form of a prayer. He heard of the gloomy scenes and it led him to this profitable discipline:
“I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven.let thine ear be now attentive. both I and my father’s house have sinned.Remember I beseech thee the word.if ye turn unto me and keep my commandment and do them.I will gather them from thence and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. Let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant and to the prayer of thy servants.”
Here we see Nehemiah hoping in a truly worthy substance, no, much greater then any substance. He had his hope in the Almighty God. He manifests this hope not only through prayer but also in determined action. Boldly he approaches the king with the situation of his country people, boldly he asks for help in rebuilding it. With permission granted, he wisely plans out his future steps for rebuilding the capitol of his beloved country. Off he then travels to his country. Already, enemies are forming at his homeland. They catch a whiff of someone seeking the welfare of Israel and become determined in halting the effort. Soon after arriving, Nehemiah secretly surveys the broken walls and gates of the city of Jerusalem. With a developed plan for rebuilding the walls and gates he then declares to his fellow country men his reason for coming; that God’s hand “was good upon me” and asking them for their assistance. His enemies hear. They laugh and scorn. Nehemiah boldly withstands them. His fellow Country men rally around him. They accept him as their leader and quickly begin rebuilding. The enemy plans to attack the builders yet Nehemiah hears of their plans and foils them. Before reaching the 53rd day, the whole wall with all the gates were rebuilt. The enemy was astonished and depressed. God had done a marvelous work through Nehemiah.
Nehemiah doesn’t stop now; he continues the process of rebuilding; this time, not of stone and wood but of relationships and God’s law. Hearing of nobles extorting debts, he reprimands them and abolishes all interest payments. Knowing of the economic difficulties his fellow countrymen were in he refused to enforce taxation, willing to suffer discomfort rather then take from others. Daily the word of God was read for the people and expounded upon. Daily the people were coming to repentance and desiring to obey God’s law.
What motivated Nehemiah to do all this? Was it a desire for fame or wealth? No, it stemmed from his Hope and Faith in God, and a love for his country, He grasped the reality of God at work even in difficult times and willingly banked upon the resource of divine providence to bring restoration to his country.
Very encouraging post, Matthew! Truly as a man of faith, Nehemiah was one who “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, out of weakness was made strong…” Men of faith confess that they are strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city. It is interesting that those whose home is in heaven are the ones who do the most good on earth. If we are to do good in this world, let us set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Spiritual freedom through the Truth is the seed of cultural freedom and the key to political freedom.
Amen!
Praise the Lord for such a man! I also praise the Lord for the work He is doing in and through you Matthew.
May God use you to be a man that stands in the gap. I appreciate you!
Isaiah 58:11-12
“The LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”