Nehemiah 2:1-8 handout

Devotion to God...

—Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah was a man devoted to God and as we look at him we glean some wonderful pictures of the character of a godly person.

Consider the outcome of a consecrated life. Though fearful before the king, he was able to speak clearly because he had been in the habit of making everything into a matter of prayer.

His special prayer (in v4) was just the outcome of his constant prayerfulness.

Can it be said of us that, “We live on our knees!”? This is like living in the front porch of heaven.

Death is viewed for such saints as changing their place but not their company.

Think very carefully of the word picture that God sends to us through creation. The tender dew that falls during the quiet night, make the grass, plants, and flowers to flourish and grow more abundantly. This is what secret prayer does. It will cause the sweet plants of grace & holiness to flourish and grow in the soul, than all those public and open duties of our faith. Which too often are marked with the sun and wind of pride and hypocrisy.

Than good hand of God...

This is what secret prayer does. It will cause the sweet plants of grace & holiness to flourish and grow in the soul, than all those public and open duties of our faith. Which too often are marked with the sun and wind of pride and hypocrisy.

III. A mark of humility.

III. A source of incalculable blessing.

It imparts confidence (). Those who trust in the Lord do not fear the evil tidings and workings of wicked men.

It preserves one from missing God’s revealed will. The God of providence will direct those who cast themselves upon His care.

It leads to fulfilling God’s will. When your entire life is submitted to God’s will, the stumbling-blocks of self-will, pride etc. are removed, nothing can hinder the fulfilment of the purposes of Yaweh.

— ... And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.

By Divine favor, which inclined the king to do what Nehemiah desired, his prayer prevailed!! Giving Nehemiah God’s protection & God’s providential guidance.

This phrase “hand of God” is a figure of speech which points to God’s sovereign power in creation and in His actions on His people’s behalf, especially in redemption.

A figure of speech which points to God’s sovereign power in creation and in his actions on his people’s behalf, especially in redemption. Also used as a symbol of authority and in taking oaths.

God creates by his hand

See also ; ,; ; ; ; ; ;

God holds the world in his hand

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

God’s creatures are fed from his hand

See also ;

God’s hand symbolizes His power

God’s hand is mighty (Read ).

See also , ; ; ;

God executes judgment by the power of His hand (Read )

(Read Jeremiah 15:6)

Judgment on the Philistine cities. See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

God’s hand holds a cup of judgment (Read )

God’s hand brings trouble See also ; ; ; ;

See also ; ;

See also ; ;

God’s hand causes fear See also

Pleas for God to use His powerful hand (Read Psa. 10:12)

See also pp ; ;

God’s powerful hand used on His people’s behalf

God redeems by His powerful hand (Read )

See also pp ; ; ; ,;

God’s hand ensures success for His people (Read )

God’s hand ensures success for his people “righteous” has the sense of “victorious”. See also ; ; ; ;

“righteous” has the sense of “victorious”. See also ; ; ;

God’s powerful hand is invincible (Read

See also ;

God’s hand protects His people See also ; ; ; ; ,;

God’s hand inspires the prophets See also ; ; ; ,; ; ;

God’s hand fulfils His purposes See also ; ,; ; ,; ; ; ; ;

God’s uplifted hand

Signifies his taking an oath See also ; ; ;

— And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

Signifies his power ,,;

God’s right hand symbolises his authority

See also ; ; ; ; ;

God’s hand must be recognized

God requires submission under His hand (Read

See also ;

The works of God’s hand must be acknowledged ; ;

— Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up.

1. The hand of God is with His people for protection.

Please look up and read .

Changing the course of a nation is like pushing back the ocean tide or changing the course of a river. It can’t be done by human efforts, but with God nothing is impossible.

Let’s see some of this testimony from Scripture:

Abimelech’s heart was in the hand of the Lord for good ().

Pharaoh’s heart was turned towards Joseph ().

The Babylonian monarchs showed kindness to Daniel and his captive brethren.

The Persian monarchs assisted in the building of the temple.

The hearts of wicked kings are alike in the hand of the Lord; yet He has no part in their wickedness.

The hatred of Pharaoh; the ambition of Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar, were His instruments for His own purposes.

Ahab’s murderous heart was restrained, and even made to accomplish the downfall of Baal (, ).

Read . Who’s hand was directing the most evil act ever committed?

Such testimonies remind us to lift our heads and trust in our sovereign Lord. He alone reigns over all things. When we are tempted to despair, let us pray like Nehemiah to the God of heaven and trust that even in the darkest hours, He is in control.