Nehemiah - Lesson 3
God placed Nehemiah in just the right position to be able to accomplish a work for Him. A work that God had prepared in advance for him to do.
God has a position for each one of us. It may be in this Community Bible Study (CBS), or in your church or Synagogue, or in your home or neighborhood. It is my prayer for you that you will know what God is calling you to do or to be affirmed in what you are doing for Him.
Our first step is accomplishing the work that God has prepared in advance for us to do is: “not to let fear stop us”.
Nehemiah 2:1-2 says:
1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid,
God calls brave people to do His work. Like David when he saw the giant Goliath, standing nine feet tall yelling out insults against God and Israel for 40 days. A very young David said “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)
But God also calls those who are afraid like Jeremiah.
In Jeremiah 1:4-10
4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
It’s alright to be afraid, but do not let fear stop you.
When the king asked Nehemiah why he was sad, Nehemiah said to himself: “I was very much afraid,” but he continued, he did not let his fear stop him and we see Nehemiah’s prayer answered, “the king showed him favor”.
Even though Nehemiah was so afraid, he still had a plan ready. Nehemiah was prepared for answered prayer.
When you pray, do you prepare yourself for the answer?
I know this is easier to say than do. A story in the Bible that helps me is found in Mark 9. Whenever I feel “low” in faith, I always think of the man in Mark 9.14-27
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
So when you pray, be prepared for the answer. Nehemiah’s request to God was that the king would show him favor. Nehemiah could not just speak to the king. For Nehemiah to speak to the king uninvited was a serious offense that could lead to disgrace and even death.
If the king showed him favor by speaking to Nehemiah, he was prepared to share:
• First he sends up a quick prayer to God, then he shares his heart’s desire to rebuild Jerusalem.
• Second, he shares his need of protection to arrive in Jerusalem safely. It was an 800 mile trip through dangerous territory and would take several months.
• Third, Nehemiah needed the necessary materials to accomplish the task of rebuilding Jerusalem, which included a place for him to live. God calls us to work for him and he cares about our personal needs.
We want to start a CBS in Mt. Dora, why? We know the joy and blessings that come from being in an in-depth Bible study week after week. We know the joy that comes form making friends founded on the Word of God and we want everyone in Mt. Dora and a 40 mile radius to know the same joy.
How will we accomplish this task that God has put before us?
Just like Nehemiah had a plan, we have a plan, we are prepared when God answers our prayers.
1. We have taken our desire to start a CBS to the Lord.
2. We know what we need to do to accomplish this.
3. Now we need to ask for God’s favor to go before us as we invite our neighbors, friends, relatives.
Now all we have to do is take Nehemiah’s first step and that is to not let “fear” stop us. He was so afraid, but he moved ahead with his plan. Don’t be afraid of being rejected by someone you ask.
Maybe it’s not CBS that this lesson is speaking to you about. Maybe it’s something at your church or community (like the building program at your church). In what ever we are being led to work at for the Lord, let’s follow Nehemiah’s example.
Continue to pray for guidance and favor. When the opportunity to act comes, send up a quick prayer and then move ahead.
My challenge to you this week is “Be prepared to act when God answers our prayers”.