Putting our prayers into action

Introduction:

Be Determined Chapter Two: The Mountain Starts to Move (Nehemiah 2)

Unknown to him, Nehemiah was about to join the glorious ranks of the “champions of faith”; and in the centuries to follow, his name would be included with heroes like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Deborah, and David. One person can make a big difference in this world, if that person knows God and really trusts in Him. Because faith makes a difference, we can make a difference in our world to the glory of God.

“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace,” said Martin Luther. “It is so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” The promise is that “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23, NKJV). Jesus said living faith can move mountains! (Matt. 17:20)

From Chislev (Mid-November to Mid-December) () to Nisan (Mid-March to Mid-April) () would have been about 4 month

The motive for building the wall was in anticipation of the coming Messiah

Daniel 9:24–27 NKJV

“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”

Daniel 9:

Jesus is building His church that’s our main business. We are to follow Him until He we die or He comes again

John 20:21–22 NKJV

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

John 20:

John 21:20–21 NKJV

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

Waiting upon the Lord

Waiting in prayer

Nehemiah went about his daily routines

Nehemiah’s consistent behavior

The sorrow caused by the news of his beloved people and city’s condition had not waned.

Romans 9:1–3 NKJV

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Romans 10:1 NKJV

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

Nehemiah as an observant Jew Nehemiah would have prayed 3x a day

Be Determined 1. He Had the Faith to Wait (Neh. 2:1–3)

True faith in God brings a calmness to the heart that keeps us from rushing about and trying to do in our own strength what only God can do. We must know not only how to weep and pray, but also how to wait and pray.

Isaiah 28:16 NKJV

Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Isaiah

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Be Determined 1. He Had the Faith to Wait (Neh. 2:1–3)

Three statements in Scripture have a calming effect on me whenever I get nervous and want to rush ahead of the Lord: “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Ex. 14:13); “Sit still … until you know how the matter will turn out” (Ruth 3:18, NKJV); “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). When you wait on the Lord in prayer, you are not wasting your time; you are investing it. God is preparing both you and your circumstances so that His purposes will be accomplished. However, when the right time arrives for us to act by faith, we dare not delay.

The weight of the sorrow

Nehemiah’s consistent behavior revealed to others something must be bothering

The sorrow caused by the bad news about his beloved people and city’s had not waned.

Romans 9:1–3 NKJV

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Romans 9:1-3

Romans 10:1 NKJV

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

The king was able to discern the cause of the sadness

The first step of faith

He had a plan in place to accomplish the task

He got the authority of the king

He got the provision needed to perform the task

The opposition will not be pleased

The great need is viewed

Surveying confirmed the report given by his brethren

Surrveying gave him time alone to pray

The priority was set

The good hand Of God upon us

Facing obstacles