God had placed a burden on Nehemiah’s heart. It wasn’t a fleeting idea. Four months after Nehemiah 1, the king noticed Nehemiah wasn’t ‘good’ – his visage showed his sadness. Along with the burden, Nehemiah prayed. He prayed boldly and he walked in boldness.
It takes boldness to submit to God to fulfill the burden. Nehemiah was able to move out with confidence and boldness that God was with him. There will be opposition.
Nehemiah secretly went at night to inspect the gates. He had to wait for the right time to share his plans with others. Sometimes God puts you in a holding pattern for where you have to land and connect. Both the “ground” and the plane have to be ready at the same time.
The good (or gracious) hand of God was on him v 8 and v 18. God wants you to tell others how good God has been to you. The people responded, “Let us start rebuilding.” When one member doesn’t do what they should, it hurts the whole work. Don’t be just consumers but be the server doing the work.
The enemy’s attacks will increase as you start the work. Nehemiah continues to pray to keep his motives right. This isn’t about the king (or the church), it’s about God. Rebuke the opposition and the enemy with God’s strength. We put the enemy in his place when we are following God’s Will.
Pray to rebuild and revive. Lord you do the work through us. Breathe the breath of the Spirit over us.
I liked this song for this message: Our God Will Go Before Us.
Verses for Today:Nehemiah 2:16-20
16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”
20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”
Almighty God, thank you for holding me in your gracious hand. May I always look to You and be willing to do the work You direct.
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