December 13, 2010
Nehemiah hears that the exiles who returned were floundering. The walls around Jerusalem were broken down and the gates burned. This greatly saddened and upset Nehemiah. His response? He prayed. LORD of heaven, you are loyal, you keep your promises with those who love you and obey you. Hear my prayers. We've sinned against you, and you have done what you said you would do, you've scattered us among other nations. But God, you've also said that if we return to you, you will return to us. Hear my prayer, give me success, "allow this king to show kindness to me."
Nehemiah takes the wine into the king. The king notices he is sad and asks him about it. Nehemiah was "very afraid." Even though he had prayed and knew this was what he was to do, it was still a scary thing to face. Nehemiah tells the king why he is sad. The king asks him what he wants. Nehemiah 1:4-5 - "First I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered the king." If I have pleased you, please send me to Jerusalem so I can rebuild it.
The king sent him. Nehemiah understood that God was the one who was answering his prayer and that God "was showing kindness to me." (Nehemiah 2:8) The king agreed to all he asked for because God was preparing the way.
Addendum: 9/10/14 ~ I love how Nehemiah writes. The way he writes is a reflection of the type of person he is. He doesn't record the events that happened as a means of honoring or elevating himself even though he was in a position of power. He simply writes from his heart, and then because the reader would need to know the information he adds the sentence, "I was the one who served wine to the king." God used Nehemiah to accomplish HIS plan because Nehemiah was faithful and willing. When Nehemiah poured out his heart before the LORD in prayer he FIRST praised God for who He was and then he accepted the accountability for his actions and for the actions of his fellow Israelites.
AFTER his worship, AFTER his confession, and AFTER he acknowledges the correct God → man relationship (I am your servant), THEN he reminds God of the teachings and promises He (the LORD) gave to Moses. To remind God of His teachings and promises means that Nehemiah knew the teachings and promises. God placed Nehemiah in the position of being the king's wine bearer for such a time as this, but it took Nehemiah's faithfulness and willingness to complete God's will.
I want to be faithful and willing so that whatever God has planned for my life can be fulfilled as HE would desire.
Next Entry: Nehemiah 2:11 – 3:22
Nehemiah hears that the exiles who returned were floundering. The walls around Jerusalem were broken down and the gates burned. This greatly saddened and upset Nehemiah. His response? He prayed. LORD of heaven, you are loyal, you keep your promises with those who love you and obey you. Hear my prayers. We've sinned against you, and you have done what you said you would do, you've scattered us among other nations. But God, you've also said that if we return to you, you will return to us. Hear my prayer, give me success, "allow this king to show kindness to me."
Nehemiah takes the wine into the king. The king notices he is sad and asks him about it. Nehemiah was "very afraid." Even though he had prayed and knew this was what he was to do, it was still a scary thing to face. Nehemiah tells the king why he is sad. The king asks him what he wants. Nehemiah 1:4-5 - "First I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered the king." If I have pleased you, please send me to Jerusalem so I can rebuild it.
The king sent him. Nehemiah understood that God was the one who was answering his prayer and that God "was showing kindness to me." (Nehemiah 2:8) The king agreed to all he asked for because God was preparing the way.
Addendum: 9/10/14 ~ I love how Nehemiah writes. The way he writes is a reflection of the type of person he is. He doesn't record the events that happened as a means of honoring or elevating himself even though he was in a position of power. He simply writes from his heart, and then because the reader would need to know the information he adds the sentence, "I was the one who served wine to the king." God used Nehemiah to accomplish HIS plan because Nehemiah was faithful and willing. When Nehemiah poured out his heart before the LORD in prayer he FIRST praised God for who He was and then he accepted the accountability for his actions and for the actions of his fellow Israelites.
AFTER his worship, AFTER his confession, and AFTER he acknowledges the correct God → man relationship (I am your servant), THEN he reminds God of the teachings and promises He (the LORD) gave to Moses. To remind God of His teachings and promises means that Nehemiah knew the teachings and promises. God placed Nehemiah in the position of being the king's wine bearer for such a time as this, but it took Nehemiah's faithfulness and willingness to complete God's will.
I want to be faithful and willing so that whatever God has planned for my life can be fulfilled as HE would desire.
Next Entry: Nehemiah 2:11 – 3:22
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