Last week we unfolded the meaning of covenantal living. To live life covenantally rather than individually means to identify with and pray for those with whom we are in covenant. For Nehemiah, this covenantal mentality manifest itself in a radical identification with the people of Israel. They were his people. He found his joy in the exaltation and greatness of Israel. So too, we discovered, we are to be covenantally minded. We are to identify with and pray for the people of God – for the Church.
Today we learn the extent to which Nehemiah identified with the people of God. For the sake of the people of God, Nehemiah took his life in his hands, risked death. And God rescued him and raised him up to lead and bless the people of God.