"HOPE"

Nehemiah 2:1 “In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence.”

>>>The beginning of this chapter is in the month of Nisan.

*Chapter one-Nehemiah is introduce/starting praying in month of Chislev.

*Modern day language: Nehemiah introduced/praying in November-December; approaches king in March-April.

*Nehemiah had been praying for four to five months!

FULFILLING HIS CALLING REQUIRED PATIENCE.

>>>We do not like being patient, but that may be a way God is preparing us to fulfill what He has called us to do.

>>>Book of Esther: Mordecai called for immediate action to crisis; Esther eventually decided to wait and pray.

*Nehemiah is doing the same thing-giving time to align his heart with God’s until the time was right.

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>>>V.1 says that Nehemiah was visibly upset/bothered in the king’s presence-something unusual for him.

Nehemiah 2:2–5 “And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.””

>>>(v.2) The king noticed Nehemiah’s distress and confronted it.

>>>Nehemiah was afraid-the only time he is afraid in the book.

*Panicked about what was to happen? Could have faced death? Feared the moment?

>>>(v.3) Nehemiah reassured the king of his loyalty and made known why he was upset-the city of his people still lies in ruins.

>>>(v.4-5) The king saw that Nehemiah was wanting something.

>>>Nehemiah prayed to God before answering the king. Nehemiah was so enveloped in prayer he naturally sent a “quick text” to God.

*Prayed for courage? Clarity? Wisdom?

*After praying, Nehemiah had his answer-go to Jerusalem to rebuild it.

FULFILLING HIS CALLING REQUIRED WISDOM.

>>>We all need wisdom and clarity when seeking to walk in walk God call us to do.

*It requires to be continuously be devoted to prayer.

>>>What clarity is God giving you about what He is wanting you to do?

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Nehemiah 2:6–8 “And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and 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 fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.”

>>>(v.6) The king asked about a time frame for Nehemiah’s quest.

*This answer is not seen.

*The queen was beside the king (Sensitivity to situation? Private setting? Separate account?)

>>>(v.7-8) Nehemiah laid out his plan for what he needed for the task:protection (as he traveled through other provinces) and provision (wood for the gates and his house).

>>>The king granted Nehemiah’s requests because of the hand of God upon him.

*All this planning and provision was directed and blessed by God.

FULFILLING HIS CALLING REQUIRED PLANNING.

>>>If we are truly walking in the wisdom of God, there will naturally be provision, planning, and direction. God’s hand is on us when we are seeking to accomplish His will for our lives.

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Nehemiah 2:11–12 “So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.”

>>>Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and began to survey the ruins, still not telling the people of Jerusalem why he was there-what God had “put” in his heart.

*“put” simply means “give”. God had given Nehemiah this task.

>>>There is a confidence we have to have in God when trying to do what He has called us to. Sometimes it will seem impossible, but we must hold on to how God is working in it and hold on to what we say He has given us.

Nehemiah 2:17–18 “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

>>>Nehemiah stood in front of the people and called on them to take up the task of rebuilding the wall.

*He acknowledged the misery of the people but acknowledged God working in his heart and the hearts of the people.

*This is the beginning of Nehemiah’s leadership of the people.

>>>It took courage.

FULFILLING HIS CALLING TOOK COURAGE.

>>>Imagine being the Jewish people. They were stuck in a hopeless situation, but then this guy stands up and says they’re gonna get out of this.

>>>(v.18) Nehemiah testified of what God had orchestrated and how the king granted him this task.

*Notice the people responded after the testimony of God. God had restored their hope-not Nehemiah.

*Then they set their hands to the “good work”.

>>>We must have courage to do what God has called us to do. Faith leaves no room for timidity.

>>>If God calls you to share faith-be bold! If God calls you to lead your friends in reading the Bible-be bold! Step up and step out into where God is leading you and lead others to do the same.

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>>>Three different times, Nehemiah gives God the credit for this task falling into place. The title of this message is “Hope”. Hope in the call to build is only seen when God is involved.

IF GOD IS IN IT, THERE IS HOPE.

>>>God is moving in our world and seeking to do His will and calls us to do it. It was can seem hopeless and impossible, God blesses the obedience of His people and will make provision for them to accomplish His purpose. This is what gives hope.

>>>How is God wanting to use you? How are you walking in obedience to that calling? What will it take for you to lead among your peers to lead them into following God with you?

>>>It will be hard. But if God is truly working, there is hope.