THE book of Nehemiah presents in a wonderful way the workings of the human mind in the passage from sense to Soul. As we study it we trace the analogy between the old-time experiences of God's people and those of seekers after Truth today. We also recall Mrs. Eddy's words on page 320 of Science and Health, "The one important interpretation of Scripture is the spiritual," and in holding to this fact we gather rich lessons at every step of the way.
Nehemiah had come to the point in his experience when his earthly hopes were crushed, and he realized that the joys of earth afford no real or lasting satisfaction; that though they give pleasure for the moment, they are subject to change and disaster. For a time self-pity and sympathetic mesmerism seemed to overpower him. He was utterly discouraged. With those, however, who honestly desire good for themselves and others this state of thought cannot last long, and Nehemiah lifted his heart to God and gave utterance to a beautiful prayer. He remembered that though God is a terror to the evil-doer, He is ever merciful to those who in obedience seek His help. He declared that it was entirely due to the wrong thinking of the children of Israel that trouble had come upon them. God had not changed, for He is eternally omnipotent and ever ready to answer those who are willing to call upon Him.
Difficulties, however, still seemed to loom large on the horizon of Nehemiah's outlook. How could he ask the king to let him go and build up the walls of Jerusalem? Would not the king be angry, or possibly laugh at him? Fear seemed to hold him in its grasp. But in his prayer Nehemiah had seen something of the power of God, and of His faithfulness and mercy; and though error in the guise of fear may attempt to destroy the power of spiritual understanding, it cannot do so. Nehemiah's mental work had been done, and done rightly, and all such work must inevitably result in good.
