Week 2

We started off Worship today hearing from Caroline. If you missed here is a video clip~ http://mworksltd.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/sloan-chambers-faith-cross/ We also discussed how Nehemiah is a Rescuer of his people and how we can do the same in the world today. Theme verse: Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is my strength Read Nehemiah 2 Introduction/review last week Nehemiah lived through the dark cold days of winter. During that time God worked in his heart. But he may have been a little weary of waiting to see any answer to his prayer of chapter one. His prayer and how God was going to answer was the passion of his life. Nehemiah waited 4 months for his prayer of chapter 1 to be answered and was probably discouraged. (month of Chislev was probably like our December and month of Nixen was our march or April . Jewish calendar equals 10 months) He was probably thinking: Did I hear God Maybe it won' be a plan I will see in my lifetime Did God hear me. Why do I have this burden and sadness if God is not going to make himself clear. Surely God loves my people. (don't we ask ourselves the same questions when we have a concern or burden and we've taken it to the Lord in prayer and it seems too much time has passed before we get an answer) After four long cold dark months Nehemiah still carried the grief and burden for his people. He was just plain sad. Downcast I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. (Psalm 118:5 NKJV) Often it's when we are in greatest distress that God shows up! Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10 NIV) But at the appointed time the king noticed his sadness. Which frightened Nehemiah because being sad in front of the King could cost him his life. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV) Remember Nehemiah prays all sorts of prayers. The sort of prayer he prays is quick Lord HELP AND GIVE ME FAVOR. Point Nehemiah doesnt look immediately to the king for help but cries out to God for favor. Operate in strength of the Lord and not fear. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19 NIV) God gives it to him. Nehemiah: Prays/ all kinds of prayers Chapter one: prayers of Praise, repentance, request and yielding Chapter two: prayer of request and urgency Specific request: rebuild the remnant What are the remnants in your life that need to be rebuilt? Proclaims Chapter one: proclaims who God is and the needs of his own people confidently Chapter two: the needs of His people, his compassion for them and his willingness to rebuild their land Prepared/prepared what God put in his heart/Nehemiah quiet until he had the lay of the land This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength Isaiah 30:15 NIV) Chapter two: request permission to survey the situation but quietly already had a plan in his heart. Stands up against opposition Protected / asked for protection of God and man Chapter two: he knows he is protected by God but asks for documents to signify protection from the King Persistent God/in spite of opposition Chapter two: Persistent in his burden and request. Nehemiah did not let the wait for answered prayer or human opposition discourage him. Even when you are doing what God wants you get resistance from men that operate by there standards. Conclusion God will give success. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; (Lamentations 3:25 NIV) Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:38 NIV)