378. NEH 13:31. DIVINE REMEMBRANCE IMPLORED

Neh_13:31. Divine Remembrance Implored

"Remember me, O my God, for good."’97Neh_13:31.

Nehemiah was one of those devoted servants of God whose character shines with holy lustre, and whose conduct is worthy of our attention and imitation. He lived in the time of the captivity, when Jerusalem was in desolation, and the temple was a heap of ruins. God employed him as an eminent instrument in his service; and his conduct was distinguished by great self-denial, great decision, great zeal, and great perseverance. Among all these great and arduous labors, he was noted for his fear of God, and his reverential conduct before him; and a so for the spirit of prayer and supplication which he manifested on all occasions. If you wish to see a public man of God laboring in all things to promote the divine glory, and never forgetting personal, private religion, you have it in Nehemiah, After the record of all his labors, and trials, and achievements, the whole finishes by the beautiful and simple prayer of the text. Notice,

I. The Prayer is one of conscious Interest in the Favor of God.

"My God." The unregenerate does not acknowledge or love God. "Carnal mind, enmity," &c. To use this language in truth, there must,

1. Have been a dedication of the soul to God.

A returning to him. A seeking his favor. A yielding of the heart to him. God offers in and through the mediator, to accept of the believer. By faith, we receive him as the portion of our souls forever "This God shall be my God," &c.

2. There is the possession of the Spirit of God.

"If any man have not the Spirit of God," &c. "Because ye are sons," &c. "The Spirit itself," &c. Now, this will be known from the state of the mind towards God. Fear, filial love, delight, &c. See Psa_63:1.

3. There will be the public acknowledgment and service of God.

"My God." The being whom I confess everywhere, whom I praise, in whom I trust, to whom I pray, whom I serve, whose I am, &c. Observe the text,

II. Is the Prayer of conscious need.

Our necessities are numerous and constant. Every moment we need the divine blessing. It is our happiness and safety to know this, to feel this, and to express it in prayer before God. But some seasons are specially seasons of need 1. In times of spiritual perplexity, We need the guidance of God. No man can guide his own steps. We cannot see before us. Israel had a pillar of cloud and fire. David said, "Thou shalt guide," &c. "Commit thy way," &c. "In all thy ways acknowledge," &c. When beclouded embarrassed, &c. Let us then pray, "Remember," &c.

2. In times of arduous duties.

When we are called to extra exertions’97when we require much working grace. This was the case with Nehemiah. God alone can make us strong to labor. "By waiting upon him, we shall renew," &c. "Remember," &c.

3. In times of conflict and danger.

God’s people are surrounded by foes. Our help is in the name of the Lord our God. He is our shield, &c. It is said of Gideon, and Jephthah, and Samson, that they accomplished their exploits by the Spirit of the Lord. So did David overcome the mighty Goliath. So we must do it, by the Spirit of the Lord, and the power of his might. He must fit us for the warfare, and teach us how to fight. "Lord, remember me," &c.

4. In times of sorrow and suffering.

When the light of adversity sets upon us. In the day of trouble. When afflictions arise; in bodily weakness, &c. Then the Lord is nigh to help. "Call upon me," &c. "Many are the afflictions," &c. Then we must pray, "Remember me," &c.

5. In the solemn hour of dissolution.

When we go the way of all the earth’97when flesh and heart faileth. What shall we do then? Cast ourselves into the arms of the Lord.

"Leaning on his dear faithful breast,

May we resign our breath,

And in his soft embraces lose

The bitterness of death."

III. This Prayer was associated with a delightful Retrospect of Services performed for God.

See ver. 14, &c. Now, this was not mentioned in the way of merit. Merit, we can have none. But we may refer to these things, as a sign of the goodness of God to us in past times, and of his condescension in employing us; and likewise, with pleasing delight, that through the grace of God we have been usefully engaged. I notice,

IV. That this Prayer God will assuredly answer.

1. Through the immutable goodness of his nature.

"He will remember," &c. "He is good to all," &c. "But saints are lovely," &c. "Oh, taste and see," &c.

2. He ever has remembered all his saints for good.

He did not forget Abraham, nor Jacob, nor Joseph, nor David, nor any other, from the foundation of the world. They are engraven on the palms of his hands. "As one whom his mother," &c. "Can a woman forget," &c.

3. Our own experience may give us confidence that he will "remember," &c.

"His love in times past forbids us to think," &c. He has not failed in aught &c.

4. The intercession of Christ renders his gracious remembrance certain.

Rom_8:32-34.

Application

1. Let us cultivate the spirit of the text It is a short, yet full and fervent prayer suited to all times and seasons, &c.

2. Let the penitent adopt it. Call God yours’97you may venture to do so. He is yours in Christ. Now, venture on him, venture freely, and say, "Remember me," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS