Searching for favor to overcome obstacles (Part II)

(If you missed the previous post click here)

   Last post we left Nehemiah in a state of sadness and shock.  The question is:  how will Nehemiah react to this devastating news?  The people of Israel's future could depend on his approach to the situation he is facing.

Nehemiah went to the Lord alone.

⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ 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.’

¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

   Nehemiah begins to weep, mourn, fast and pray.  In this recorded prayer we see a broken person cry out.  Here are just a few things we can glean from his prayer:

·         He recognizes God and how great and powerful He is.

·         He prays for the Lord’s attention during this outpouring of sorrow.

·         He confesses sin (individual, family and corporately).

·         He recounts the Lord’s promises.

·         Finally, he pleads for favor with the king.

   Nehemiah realizes his only hope is in the Lord.  There are no other options for the people of Israel.  Nehemiah must go before the king.  This is a dangerous task and one that had been denied to Ezra before.  In a letter to an official king Artaxerxes wrote:

Greetings.

¹⁸ The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. ¹⁹ I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. ²⁰ Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. ²¹ Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. ²² Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

²³ As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. (Ezra 4:18-23)

   On this earth we have those that we report to and many times it isn't just under the umbrella of Christianity.  It can be a board, supervisor, manager, professor, government agency or official that makes the decisions concerning portions of our life.  Ultimately though, we have a God we can mourn, fast and pray before.  He can grant us favor in the presence of any obstacle we face.  

Searching for favor to overcome obstacles

   

   We have all been at a point in our lives where we have received terrible news.  Something that shatters our world and time seems to stop.  Thoughts flood our minds and we stand numb.  This numbness can be from disbelief or a feeling of helplessness.  How could things have gone from driving forward to disaster?

   This position is where we find a person named Nehemiah.  Nehemiah was going about daily business and serving the King of Persia.  While in captivity Nehemiah had found favor with the king and secured a spot as a cup bearer.  This position was considered high ranking at the time and one that could have great influence, though it did come with some expectations.

   Showing any negative emotion in front of a king could be disastrous.  A king could have someone imprisoned or executed for such things.  Nehemiah had to constantly be on guard with his expression of anger and sorrow.  What a major task this would be for a person in captivity in a foreign land.

   You can only imagine Nehemiah’s plight after this conversation with his brother Hanani:

“In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, ² Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. ³ They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”(Nehemiah 1:1-3)

   What a rush of emotions Nehemiah must have felt.  His hometown and people were in despair with no hope for a better day.  The walls were broken, gates destroyed and we know with further study that they were experiencing a famine.  In chapter five the people report:

 ³ Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.”⁴ Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. (Nehemiah 5:3-4)

   All of this information begins to weigh on Nehemiah.  How can he hide it?  The king was a person with whom he had spent a lot of time and they were very close. Holding all of this emotion in had to be a difficult task.

   Trials are something we all experience and struggle with.  Nehemiah and the people of Israel were not immune to difficult times, so it is certain that we will experience them as well.  How we respond to these situations will speak volumes of our faith.  Next post we will see Nehemiah’s response to the news from his brother.

Walking through struggles

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:13-18)

Why do bad things happen to God’s people?

The question above is one we have all pondered.  We shouldn't be ashamed of asking the question.  It is our hearts searching for God and his guidance.  In a fallen world hope seems small at times. In this section of scripture Peter is addressing struggles even for those that do good. In verse 13 it states:” But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” Suffering for doing right?  The words contrast one another.  If we are doing the right thing, then we should expect good things.  Peter explains that this is not necessarily the case.  The scripture explains in numerous places that struggles will always exist.  It isn't something that is going to go away.  Those that bear the name of Christ will go through hard times.  What is the answer to this? Peter’s answer is: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord”.  Our focus should always be on Christ.  The word revere in this case is stating we should sanctify Christ in our hearts.  Our hearts are to beating more and more like Christ’s and less and less like ours.

The rest of the scripture deals with what to do during the stressful times

1.  Do not fear those that threaten you."So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Is. 41:10)


2. Be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you."As for me, I will always have hope;   I will praise you more and more.¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all". – (Ps. 71:14-15)


3.  Handle the situation with gentleness and respect. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil 4:4-6)


4. Keep your conscience clear. "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." (Acts 24:16)


5. Exhibit good behavior. "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." (Colossians 4:5)


6. Remember Christ suffered for you."And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:10)

It is not your struggles that will speak volumes in the world.  It is how you walk through the struggles that others see.  Will you walk in a way that calms the critics?  That is what we are called to do.

Best to Him

Many of us have never really fit a mold set before us in life.  We may even purposefully break the mold out of arrogance, pride and rebellion.  Ultimately though, we haven’t fit a mold because we are not supposed to.  A mold is something that is made to make an object conform to a standard.  Read what the prophet Jeremiah states:

Jeremiah 18:1-6

“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. 

God doesn’t work with a molding.  He is in a process of constant forming.  If God sees an imperfection he will take the clay and start again.  He isn’t looking for us to match what others think we should or shouldn’t be.  God is working on something bigger.  To make us more and more like him.  Being in his likeness means we may not fit. 

Look at what Isaiah writes about Jesus:

Isaiah 53:2

He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

 
People were not drawn to Jesus by his appearance.  The religious leader didn’t accept Christ because he wasn’t kingly.  Jesus didn’t fit the mold others desired.  If that is true, we shouldn’t expect anything different in our lives.  So with that understanding, we must stop trying to be what others want and more what God wants.  That doesn’t mean that we won’t struggle with what God wants us to be.  We need to trust him to constantly wrap his creative hands around us until we are what is “best to him”.

It's time to Glo

  At some institutions you may have opportunities to use the bible in classes.  Online you can find many different ways to search for scriptures and other bible related information.  Glo bible is a program that can help you during those searches.

  Glo is an interactive bible that brings the text of the Scripture to life through HD video, high-res images, zoomable maps, 360-degree virtual tours, customizable bible reading plans, and a natural user interface for fast, easy, visual navigation on Mac, PC, iPad, and iPhone.

  The unique zoomable interface in Glo provides simple, intuitive ways to visually browse and filter a world of biblical content through 5 main lenses. Say you want to see what Jesus had to say on the subject of redemption during the Passion Week in Jerusalem. What would be an otherwise impossible search can be done quickly and easily with Glo.*

 

Bible Within 2 taps, find any chapter. The bible is easy to navigate in its natural order and easy to read in a magazine format.

Atlas Major stories and locations of the bible appear geographically with a zoomable interface along with map overlays, tours, photos and video.

Timeline View where events happened chronologically and in context with one another through a zoomable interface

Topical Relevant verses for thousands of subjects are searchable by keyword and include commentary from leading authors, scholars and other experts.

Media Browse a huge collection of HD video, virtual tours, articles, high-resolution photos, artwork, maps, and historical animations.

For more information visit the Glo bible website.  There are free versions offered.

http://www.globible.com/

A Mind to Work

   The book of Nehemiah is an awesome example of perseverance in hard times.  Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer. Nehemiah lived at ease, and in honor, but does not forget that he is an Israelite, and that his fellow Israelites are in distress. 

    Through prayer and the power of God the Israelites are allowed to go back and rebuild the walls in their homeland. All of this movement draws opposition from every side and soon enemies start to plot evil against the Isrealites.  Everything seems overwhelming at this point but the people of Israel stayed focuses on the goal at hand.

In chapter 4 we see:

 "So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." (Nehemiah 4:6, NASB)

   The above verse should help us in overwhelming times.  Whatever goals we have in life there will be roadblocks or delays.  It is at those times that we have to stay focused.  We need to keep our mind on the work at hand.  There are reasons that God has you where you are.  All you need to do is trust in him and work.

   When we set our minds set on the things of God, huge tasks become small. When we set our mind on the things of God, fear fades away. When we set our mind on the things of God, big things happen.

Pray for Newtown, Connecticut - Prayer Guide

Please take time this week to spend in prayer for those affected by the tragic event in Newtown, Connecticut. Below is a small prayer guide we put together to help.  Please read this with the understanding that we are to share in the burdens of others.  Follow through the Psalmist's struggles and relate that to those in Newtown, Connecticut.

Day 1
Psalm 102:1-2 (Ps. 77:4)

• Pray for those in distress.  Take time to search the news and pray for individuals and families.

Day 2
Psalm 102:3-7 (Ps. 6:2-4)

• Pray for the heartache felt by those affected by this tragedy.

Day 3
Psalm 102:8-9 (Ps. 54:6-7)

• Pray for those that are feeling defeated at this moment.

Day 4
Psalm 102:10,11, 22-26 (Ps. 88:13-14)

• Pray for those struggling with why this would happen.  If the Psalmist struggled with this question we should expect no less from anyone else.

Day 5
Psalm 102:12-13 (Ps. 30:1-2)

• Pray for those in need of help.  God can use many ways to bring help in times of need.

Day 6
Psalm 102:14-16 (Ps. 107:18-19)

• Pray for continued healing.  This will be a long road and the healing process will take time.

Day 7
Psalm 102:17-21, 27-28 (Ps. 63:8)

• Pray for security and the feeling of security to return.  

It is my belief that if the Psalmist had difficulty understanding at times, we will too.  What is needed from those outside the tragedy right now is not answers.  It is earnest, sincere and "burden bearing" prayer.  So it is my challenge that you would read the scriptures and pray.

Let us not be:
Luke 11:46

Let us:
Galatians 6:2

Let nothing cloud your prayers.   - Jamie Hughes

Christmas like a child

The name of the song is "Christmas like a Child" and the message is amazing. As you listen to the song it helps to remember the awe you once had as a child for Christmas. It wasn't just about Santa Claus or presents. It was much more than that. There seemed to be a magic glow to the whole season in which only children could only fully appreciate. 

Take your self back when you were a child:

• The sounds of music
• Church productions
• Family dinners filled with laughter and fellowship
• Sunday School lessons focused on Jesus' birth
• Decorated houses (Nativity and all) 

Everything seemed to breathe Christmas and people acted happier. Unfortunately, something got lost along the way as we became adults. Stresses of life started to kick in and our appreciation for the day started to fade. As you look at the song lyrics try to put yourself in this setting.

I want to feel Christmas, how it used to be
With all of its wonder falling on me
This season has felt so empty, oh for quite a while
I want to feel Christmas like a child

I want to see snowflakes fall to the ground
My brothers and sisters all gathered around
Singing "Away In A Manager" as we sit by the fire
I want to feel Christmas like a child

It's been so long now, I can't say
Just when I lost my way
But I'm going back to how it was
When this day meant everything
And we spent our time remembering
The baby Child born for us

It's all about Jesus, asleep in the straw
This infant, this King, this Savior for all

So I don't need bells to be ringing
'Cause I'll join with angels singing ..Gloria
And I can feel Christmas like a child
I want to feel Christmas like a child...

That glow is Jesus. Don't get so caught up in the expenses, gifts and travel plans that you forget Jesus. When we really focus our sights on Jesus the child like feeling of Christmas returns full force. 

“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matt 19:14)

Be truly thankful.

Have you every though about how much we complain?  What if  we calculated the minutes we worried against the minutes we were thankful? Which one would win out?


Leviticus 7:11-12a:
“‘These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the LORD: ¹² “‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness,..."

Although there are many types of offerings in the Bible there were a few that were more voluntary. Many offerings were required throughout the year but there were a few that were not. 

The nature and intention of these offerings were more distinctly opened. They were offered either:

1. In thankfulness for some special mercy received, such as recovery from sickness, preservation in a journey, deliverance at sea, redemption out of captivity, all which are specified in Psalm. 107, and for them men are called upon to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, v. 22.
2. In supplication for some special mercy which a man was in the pursuit and expectation of, here called a voluntary offering. This accompanied a man’s prayers, as the former did his praises.

It is not found that men were bound by the law, unless they had bound themselves by vow, to offer these peace-offerings upon such occasions, as they were to bring their sacrifices of atonement in case of sin committed

Let us be resolved today to make the best of this holiday and let Thankfulness win out.