In the month of Nisan,
in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up
the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence.
THE STUDY:
Yesterday we
looked at how much time had elapsed before Nehemiah approached the king. Today
we are looking at “how” Nehemiah approached him. We read that Nehemiah had not been sad in his presence and
this was not customary. In those days Eastern monarchs were sheltered from
anything that might bring them unhappiness (Es. 4:1–2) When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes
and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he
cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate,
for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.; but
on that particular day, Nehemiah could not hide his sorrow.[1]
There is two
possible reason’s Nehemiah approached the king in such a manner. 1) Nehemiah
was being led by God and this was the right time to present to the king his
problem or 2) Nehemiah tried to withhold his emotions from the king as he was
waiting on the Lord and just could not do it anymore. Whatever the case may we
will learn that God had prepared the kings heart for this occasion.
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that in Gods timing the task will be addressed. When and where, will be in His hands. How we deal with it, if led by the Holy spirit, will help to accomplish God’s will. Nehemiah trusted the Lord, had Faith that He heard and will respond to the request, but still had to deal with his emotions during the process. This is normal and expected by God.
APPLICATION:
My son approached me a few months ago and
asked the question, “how do we know that all this about Jesus is true?” I will
have to admit, deep down in my heart I was pierced. But my exterior was solid
as a rock. I didn’t flinch or whimper, I acted like this was just an ordinary
question. I could see in my wife’s eyes she was not handling this well. I
believe she was ready to cast out demons and throw Holy water on him (and we
are not catholic)!
We sat down
that evening and had a great talk and ended the conversation with this
statement, “Look to God for the answer and in his timing, he will reveal it!”
As he walked away I was flooded with emotions, (fear, sadness, anger, love) but
the one thing that rose to the top was trust! I trusted that my god would
answer our prayer.
Long story
short, a few weeks later my son comes back from teen camp “ON FIRE” for God! I
saw him coming and he ran up to me and hugged me like we had not seen each other
for months. He looked into my eyes and said, “Dad, god answered our prayer!” “He
is alive and well within me!”
Today, you
might be thinking “when will God answer my prayers” or “Will He at all?” I am
here to encourage you this morning by saying this, all prayers get answered! When and how is up to the Lord. Proverbs
3:5-6 is a passage I encourage you to memorize, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your
paths.
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Determined.
“Be” Commentary Series (25). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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