Praising Him in the Hard Times...God of Restoration
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Anchor Verse for this new series...
As the deer pants after the water brooks,
so my soul pants after You, O God.
Israel have been taken from their land by enemies, but God has a plan for restoration and Nehemiah is a part of that plan.
Nehemiah finds himself in an interesting position. He’s the cup bearer for the King, which means that he is constantly in the presence of the King. When serving the King you were expected to enjoy the task, the King has authority to execute anyone that doesn’t please him. Unfortunately Nehemiah had recieved some bad news and could not hide his grief.
Slowly the people of Israel were being released from captivity to go home. Sadly when they returned they found their home destroyed and defenseless. This is the news that Nehemiah had recieved and it broke his heart for his people.
In the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Never had I been upset in his presence. So the king said to me, “Why is your face troubled though you do not seem sick? This is nothing but a troubled heart.”
Then I became very much afraid and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should not my face be troubled when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
So the king said to me, “What are you requesting about this matter?”
Immediately, I prayed to the God of heaven
No one would blame Nehemiah for being fearful, but God has ordained this moment. Nehemiah overcomes his fear. He acknowledges the King’s position and confesses the reason for his sorrow.
Are there things that the Lord has put in your heart to do and your afraid? Overcome your fear and trust the Lord that He’s got this.
Here’s how you know this moment was ordained by God. The King asked “Why are you sad?” and “What would you like to do about it?”. This response, I’m sure took Nehemiah by surprise, as it says that he immediately prayed!
This isn’t a rehearsed prayer, it’s a fervent prayer. Immediately he turns to God for help and wisdom. Here’s what Nehemiah knew...
Prayer allows God’s power, help, wisdom, and peace to be present in our lives. Prayer will strengthen and inspire our faith. Our God’s presence is always greater than our circumstances!
So the king said to me, “What are you requesting about this matter?”
Immediately, I prayed to the God of heaven and then said to the king, “If this pleases the king and if this might be good for your servant who is before you, then would you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs so that I may rebuild it?”
The king, with the queen sitting beside him, said to me, “How long would your journey be? And when will you return?” Because it pleased the king to send me, I established a timetable for him.
I further said to the king, “If this pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors of the province Beyond the River so that they would allow me to pass through until I come to Judah, as well as a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the temple mount, for the city wall, and for the house into which I will enter.” The king granted me these things, because the good hand of my God was upon me. When I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River, I gave them the king’s letters. He also sent with me commanders of foot and horse soldiers.
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite subordinate heard this, it deeply grieved them that there was a man coming to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
God showed Nehemiah incredible favor with the King. The hand of God was on Nehemiah...
Nehemiah was part of God’s plan.
God was leading Nehemiah.
God’s blessing was on Nehemiah...
Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
God caused Nehemiah to prosper and succeed.
Nehemiah had God-given courage and faith.
After I looked around, I stood up and said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, “Stop being terrified because of them! Remember instead that the Lord is great and awesome. So fight for each other—and for your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
assemble to us there at the place where you hear the trumpet sounded. Our God shall fight for us.”
This wasn’t just about Nehemiah though. Nehemiah was only a part of God’s BIG plan. Israel had fallen away from the Lord! Remember, this was why they had been exiled. God’s BIG plan was restoration! In spite of Israel’s fallen past, God is restoring His people. He forgives their sin and restores them to right standing.
Perhaps today you can relate to Nehemiah. You know that you’re part of His BIG plan, but you need to overcome your fears.
Maybe, today you can relate to Israel. Somewhere along the way you have fallen away from, or were never with the Lord.
He’s here to give you strength and courage! He’s here to wash your sins away!