God-Centered Living (Nehemiah 2:1-10)

Introduction:

God-Ward Sorrow (Nehemiah 2:1-3)

God-Ward Dependence (Nehemiah 2:4-7)

God-Ward Remembrance (Nehemiah 2:8-10)

God-Ward Sorrow

v1 Nehemiah was the kings cupbearer. He choose the food and tasted the wine to make sure it was not poisoned. Trusted by the king.

He has not been sad in his presence.

We live in a generation that is terrific at wearing masks. The church is no different.

a) We mask our sorrow with false smiles and cliches.

b) We mask our frustrations with flattery and we despise vulnerability because we do not want to look weak.

However, that was not the case with Nehemiah.

Nehemiah was attempting to hide his sorrow. Not out of arrogance, but fear. Look with me as the end of verse 2.

Why would he be afraid?

-It was forbidden to be sad because since the honor of being in the presence of the king is so wonderful no one should even dare being sad. It could have been considered an insult to the king.

I am sure that on Nehemiah’s mind the next words that he would have expected from the king were “Remove his head.” However,

v2 God providentially opened the heart of the king to care for Nehemiah. God opened the heart of selfish and wicked king and made him notice Nehemiah

v3 Nehemiah confides in the king why he is sorrowful

Nehemiah, instead of covering up his sorrow he honestly brings it up. He was burdened for his people!

Godly sorrow is a gift from God. No hand but a divine hand can make the heart soft and tender under the sight and sense of sin.

Thomas brooks

What was his first inclination?

Prayer

God-Ward Dependence (Nehemiah 2:4-7)

As the king asked him what he wanted he prayed.

True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length. The Secret Of Power In Prayer, Volume 34, Sermon #2002 - John 15:7

Charles Spurgeon

Nehemiah understood that this was the God that answers prayer!

The God who heard Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The people of Israel’s cry in the wilderness, the intercession of Moses for the people and more than that the intercession made by our Lord Jesus Christ himself.

English Standard Version (Hebrews Chapter 7)

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan. Prayer will cease a man from sin; or sin will cease a man from prayer.

John Bunyan

Nehemiah understood this. Do you? How often do you cry out to God in times of trouble? Or do you cry out to others? Do you consult yourself or God?

Friends, like Nehemiah we must have God-ward dependence.

Proverbs 3:5–7 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

We distrust the providence of God when, after we have used all our best endeavors and begged His blessing upon them, we torment ourselves about the wise issue and event of them.

John Tillotson (Archbishop of Canterbury)

God-Ward Remembrance (Nehemiah 2:8-10)

Creation brings things into existence, providence keeps them, or guarantees their continuation in existence, in fulfilment of God’s purposes. The doctrine of providence does not just mean, therefore, that God has a foreknowledge of what is going to happen, but is a description of His continuing activity, of what He does in the world, and what He has continued to do since He made the world at the very beginning.

Great Doctrines of the Bible (1), 140

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly implore His protection and favor.

—George Washington

George Washington