Text: Nehemiah 1:11-2:8, Matthew 7:9-11, Ephesians 3:20-21
“All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.”
– Oswald Chambers
Just one chapter in, we can already see that Nehemiah is a man of prayer and compassion, a man whose heart follows after God. Today we will see Nehemiah’s courage and, most importantly, his radical trust in the Lord.
Nehemiah’s reliance on God is first displayed in this chapter by his willingness to wait. Nearly four months pass after he learns of Jerusalem’s devastation before he encounters the king in Chapter 2. As cupbearer, it was imperative that Nehemiah not show his feelings, that he put on a good face before the king. But the king sees the sorrow in Nehemiah’s eyes and asks, “Why are you sad?”
This is the moment Nehemiah has waited and prayed for, and this is where we see radical trust in his willingness to act. He knew he was entering unchartered waters, a mere courtier being boldly honest with the king. Scripture tells us he was terrified, but he dives in anyway because he knows he is not alone. When the king further prompts Nehemiah to state his specific request, Nehemiah pauses, prays and makes the ask. And it is a big, big ask.
In an unprecedented manner, the king grants Nehemiah’s requests. Why? Because the good hand of Nehemiah’s God – our God – was upon him.Because Nehemiah was asking to do a good work that God had prepared in advance for him to do (Eph. 2:10). Because it pleased God to give Nehemiah more than he could ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20).
Sisters, there is so much work to do. We see need, pain and injustice all around us and our knees quickly buckle under the weight. We long to make our lists and check them twice and fix it all right this second. But we dare not make a move without God. As Ian Hamilton said it, “Beloved, our great and pressing need today is to give ourselves to waiting upon God, because waiting time is never wasted time.”
Nehemiah was an ordinary servant who would do extraordinary things, but he did them by moving with God. Not running ahead but walking beside.
God can use us today. He can use even us. He can do it because it is not about our resources, our resumé or our strength, but it is all about His power, His goodness, His grace.
It is all about Him.
So Awesome!
This was a perfect reminder for me today. It is hard for me to watch as so many people I love and see daily are loosing their jobs in this current situation. I struggle to see how everyone will be provided for…as so many are hurting. Lord, please let us see how You are at work and give us all we need to wait upon You.
Waiting for something normally isn’t very fun but I know for me it’s been some of the sweetest times I’ve ever had with the Lord! To walk with Him, we gotta be relying on Him at all times!! He is always at work! He is always faithful no matter the circumstances!
Lately, the Lord has been whispering “read Nehemiah, read Nehemiah” to my heart. I had never heard of Nehemiah before and barely knew anything about it, yet as I read it, I so identify with Nehemiah and everything in me wants to be just like him.
I moved to Seattle Washington a little less than two years ago and all this time, the lord has been working and moving and making me into who he wants me to be. But I’ve had to wait and be still and surrender to God every single time. I’ve taken many situations and problems into my own hands to try and fix before their time, and now I regret so many of them. I think God is trying to build that trust within my heart yet I keep tearing it down with fear and control.
Now I’m in this new season and I’m wanting to get baptized and walk more fully with the lord, but I’m starting to wonder if God is asking me to wait on him for the perfect time.
Please pray for me and for God’s guidance for my baptism.
Hi Paige, I was in your exact situation. I kept thinking that there was going to be this perfect time or place for my baptism. Several times at my church I passed the offer of baptism. Each time I walked away I thought – maybe next time. Sometimes we just have to take the leap of faith. I finally thought through it one day sitting there – why don’t I go ahead and conquer the fear and know that God is going to be standing right beside me. It was rewarding to know that I stood in faith that gods timing sometimes is just a step forward – not always a vision or though. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – for I walk by faith, not by sight.
I pray that whatever step you take forward that you will know that God is with you. God Bless – Jen
I love the fact that it pleases God to give me more than I could ask or think. My future is in His hands and He has absolutely magnificent plans for me, if only I go to Him.
I love this message of waiting on God for direction and timing – too often I race through life without waiting for his guidance!
I loved the recollection that it was work that God had prepared in advance for Nehemiah to do. I also like to note that he gave him more than what he asked for.
this hit home. I need to slow down some and let God guide me. Stop trying to jump ahead I need to walk more with him More.