HUMANITY falls into three groups.
There are those going through a lot, and the only thing certain in their lives is uncertainty.
Some are standing after overcoming great adversities — and we all are created in the image and likeness of God.
But the beauty of God is that whatever group you're in, He can make all things new.
The Narrative
THE CHILDREN of Israel had gone through so much in the hands of their enemies.
Many wallowed in the ashes of defeat.
Those who survived the exile and were back in the province were in great distress. They were shrouded in shame.
The enemies had broken their walls and burned their gates with fire.
When Nehemiah heard the news, he wept.
He fasted and said, "Remember the instruction you (God) gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'" (Neh. 1:8-9)
God's Brand
THE TIMES were difficult, and there were many unknowns.
Nehemiah understood that he would lose his brand and remain in shame if he focused on the situation.
They were the people of God, the people of grace—and anyone who puts his trust in Him will never be put to shame. (Rom. 10:11)
God's Place
HE MOVED his gaze from uncertainty to certainty—and the symbol of shame became his epitaph of hope.
Nehemiah knew that the only place to be found was with God—and bowed his knees.
He regained his voice in prayer and became a man of purpose.
To move forward, he needed the light of God.
For with God is the fountain of life. In His light, we see light. (Ps. 36:9)
God's Hand
HE NEEDED the favourable hand of God.
Nehemiah had never appeared before the king sad. But that day, King Artaxerxes knew that something wasn't right.
What is it you want? (Neh. 2:4)
The king heard his requests and granted him all.
God has much more than you need. When His hand is upon you, he will meet your needs.
One reason that the favourable hand of God will be on life is purpose.
Purpose draws the hand of God.
No one broods in a comfort zone
God's Enemies
HE KNEW that things would be done, but they would not be handed to him, so he went for it.
And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. (Neh. 2:10)
Nehemiah knew that no one broods in a comfort zone. He understood that he was walking a difficult path.
We also wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12)
Power is never given; it is ceased.
God's Pleasure
WHEN TOBIAS and Sanballat mocked them, Nehemiah cried out.
Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. (Neh. 4:4)
Your prayer daily should be—God let my life be pleasurable to you.
Your place of prayer is God's place of pleasure.
God's Wisdom
AS THEY repaired the walls, some of the Jews cried out.
During the famine, many of them had mortgaged their vineyards and fields for grains. As a result, they had nothing to fall back on.
Nehemiah was angry. He called a large meeting and became the voice for the helpless.
He told them to fear God and stop charging their fellowmen. (Neh. 5:1-12)
The lenders promised to return what they had taken, and they will not charge any interest in the future.
They took an oath to do what they had promised.
In your purpose, you may have to wear different hats.
When people respect you as a person, they admire you. When they respect you as a friend, they love you. When they respect you as a leader, they follow you – John Maxwell.
The people followed him because they admired him. They could relate to his vision.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
IF YOUR CHALLENGE is huge, your strength is little.
God will humble you that you might increase your dependence on Him—and where you willingly humble yourself, he will exalt you.
God became their chain breaker, their way breaker and their miracle worker.
If you give God His rightful place, he will make everything new.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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