Rebuilding Favor

Nehemiah 2:1–10 CSB

1 During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” 6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me. 7 I also said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me. 9 I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.

1. We need passion for the House of God

Nehemiah’s passion led him to fast and pray

We need passion

Preach in season and out of season

Awake the world to His Love

Seek His face and do His will

Submit to His guidance

Insist don’t give up

Overcome the doubts

Nurture each other

2. Favor will bring success

Favor: act of kindness beyond what is usual; to prefer over another; gaining approval, acceptance, special benefits or blessings

Fortify: to strengthen and secure

Assist: God will always be by your side

Value: You are fearfully and wonderfully made; you matter

Obtain: you will achieve your objective

Repeat

3. Favor attracts the haters

Anytime you are moving in the direction God gives, the haters will come

Favor will bring success but it also attracts the haters

Having Anger Toward Everyone Reaching Success

That’s a hater

Don’t let them talk you out of your blessing

Misery loves company

Don’t accept every invitation to misery

God is for you

4. You have to push to overcome

Having a Word from God does not smooth the road for you

A Word from God will sustain you when all hell breaks lose

A Word from God will keep you when the attacks come

A Word from God will encourage you in the midst of discouragement

The pain reminds you to push

Pray Until Something Happens

You are an overcomer

Don’t give up

A Word from God will strengthen you to reach the goal

A Word from God will propel you into your destination

Pain is not the end of the road

Jesus said about Lazarus, “this will not end in death”

5. Favor to rebuild the House of God

We must understand the times

It is time to rebuild His House

Viruses are destroying the people of God and it should not be

The pandemic is destroying the faith of many; it should not be

Pain is causing many to give up; it should not be

Repent to get the reset in your life

Expect a miracle

Believe the promises of God

Understand the times

Inquire of the Lord

Liberate the oppressed

Desire the things of God

Favor is turning things around

Favor is here