- Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. Nehemiah 2:9 – Nehemiah was made aware of the horrible state the walls around Jerusalem were in. We see that he prayed for months on what exactly to do about it. We see that he had a plan from the Lord on what needed to be done with the rebuild. We see that he even spoke with the king about this project and received the king’s blessing on it. Nehemiah thought, prayed, planned, and talked about rebuilding the walls, and while all that is wonderful and needed, if that’s where the process stopped then there would have been no walls. We see though that’s not where it stopped, Nehemiah actually went and actually began the work. In our walk with God we too are going to have big things laid on our heart that He is calling us to accomplish. With such things absolutely we should spend time in thought and prayer over them. We should plan and discuss it with other believers. Yet if this is from the Lord at some point we must move out of the thinking-praying-planning-talking stage and move onto the doing stage. If God is calling you to share the Gospel, for sure pray and plan, but at some point you need to just go and begin sharing the Gospel. If God is calling you to start a ministry, plan and discuss and pray, but at some point there needs to be action on what He’s called you to. The enemy loves it when we remain in the planning stage of God’s work but never move onto the doing stage. Be bold and trust the Lord in what He’s called you to. If He has laid this on your heart, like Nehemiah, move out of the planning stage and on to doing what the Lord has called you to do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3399
- Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 2:4 – Take advantage of prayer, even if you only have a moment. Nehemiah here was in a conversation with the king about to ask him for a large request. He though didn’t have time or the ability to say, “Wait a moment and let me go pray for a week about this.” He would have lost his opportunity if he did that, so he did what he could. In the moment he had he silently prayed to God for help and gave Him praise. As Nehemiah did, let’s take advantage of prayer even when we only have a moment. If we believe God can change hearts and move in ways we can’t, let’s be sure to be leaning on Him through prayer as often as we can. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1284
- But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. Nehemiah 2:10 – Nehemiah was faithfully following the Lord in his efforts to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. He courageously brought his request before the king, he left his comfortable job in the palace of the king, and is seeking to do the very thing God laid on his heart to accomplish. But… Now, usually I’m all about the “buts” in the Bible because they often are when we see God step in and do something amazing with a situation, yet here is one occasion I’m not a fan. We get two names, Sanballat and Tobiah, who were men who did not want to see Israel healthy. Some commentators believe it was because if Israel prospered it would take away from their lands prospering, but whatever the reason, we have two men here who didn’t want to see the faithful work of God being done. Keep this in mind as you follow the Lord. You can be hearing from God, taking courageous steps, and doing exactly what the Lord laid on your heart to do, and still there will be people that oppose it. If then there is a clear settling this path you’re on is from the Lord, also settle this opposition isn’t from Him. Yes, it may be coming from a powerful source in your life, or even from another believer in Jesus, but if what is being said is in opposition to what the Lord has spoken over you, reject whatever they are saying and move forward. Choose this day who you will serve and follow. If God, then follow His lead; if the “Sanballats and Tobiahs” in your story, then follow them. Keep this in mind, whose throne will you be standing before when this life is over? (hint, it’s not Sanballat’s or Tobiah’s) I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2505
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