WHAT DO YOU WANT?
"Because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests" (Neh. 2:8, NIV).
The other day, a friend of mine copied a few sentences from a book she was reading by Dr. Kingsley Fletcher in which he talked about being surprised at the way God meets us when we’re not expecting Him to. I wondered how my friend knew I’d had similar thoughts just the day before. So many times I’ve had God simply overwhelm me when I’m not expecting it at all. I was especially amazed that this happens so often in the morning.
You see, I’m anything but a morning person. Of course, I still get up early, but you must never assume that just because I’m up that I am awake—or alert. I’ve tried and tried to change this, but I’m simply one of these people who gets a second wind around 10 p.m. Suddenly, the night is young, and it’s time to vacuum the rug, play the piano or start a new project of some sort.
Anyway, until I can persuade the rest of humanity to work according to my clock, I have to do my best to get it together in the morning. That said, I am so astonished when God touches my heart during those early morning meetings. He really does!
This week, I was sitting at the kitchen table, all by my sleepy little self, struggling to connect my thoughts with the book of Nehemiah. I thought I was only going through the motions, but then I started seeing myself in the story.
I could feel how distraught Nehemiah was over the desolate condition of God’s people, and I knew how helpless he felt to change their situation. My heart began to be so stirred with the emotions of this simple servant, that I burst into tears when I read his prayer: “‘O 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” (Neh. 1:11, NIV).
We know that Nehemiah would later go on to become an incredible leader and historical figure, but before all that, he was a servant—the king’s cupbearer—with a burden, who dared to think he could ask God to use his life to make a difference.
By now, I was riveted. I did not know why this familiar passage evoked such a response. But I continued reading and saw that there came a time, when Nehemiah was in the king’s presence, and the burdens of his heart overtook him. He said: “I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, “‘Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart’”(Neh. 2:1).
Now Nehemiah was afraid. What would this powerful man do to him? Would he be angry? Would he be incensed at what he thought was ingratitude on the part of his servant? Would he perhaps be annoyed with Nehemiah’s conduct and banish him from his presence?
None of these things happened. Instead, the king took notice of Nehemiah. Actually, he took on Nehemiah’s cause, and asked him, “‘What is it you want?’” (Neh. 2:5). Imagine what that moment must have been like for Nehemiah. Scripture says that before he answered the king, Nehemiah prayed. Then he spoke, and he unburdened his heart. The king never upbraided Nehemiah for his behavior or his requests. Rather, he granted his wishes, giving him the resources, authority and protection to do what was in his heart.
That morning, I dropped my guard, and I stopped trying to be brave, dutiful, impressive or strong. God had touched me … in spite of me. I felt as if He were saying, “What did you expect?” I admit, my expectations weren’t that high so early in the morning. God knew that, and He went right ahead and met me anyway.
Maybe some of you need to come before the King today, just as you are, in much the same way Nehemiah did. If you do, you’ll be in for a surprise, too. Our King is even more compassionate and kinder than any earthly ruler could ever be.
Brenda J. Davis is an acquisitions editor for the Strang Book Group and the former editor of SpiritLed Woman magazine.
The other day, a friend of mine copied a few sentences from a book she was reading by Dr. Kingsley Fletcher in which he talked about being surprised at the way God meets us when we’re not expecting Him to. I wondered how my friend knew I’d had similar thoughts just the day before. So many times I’ve had God simply overwhelm me when I’m not expecting it at all. I was especially amazed that this happens so often in the morning.
You see, I’m anything but a morning person. Of course, I still get up early, but you must never assume that just because I’m up that I am awake—or alert. I’ve tried and tried to change this, but I’m simply one of these people who gets a second wind around 10 p.m. Suddenly, the night is young, and it’s time to vacuum the rug, play the piano or start a new project of some sort.
Anyway, until I can persuade the rest of humanity to work according to my clock, I have to do my best to get it together in the morning. That said, I am so astonished when God touches my heart during those early morning meetings. He really does!
This week, I was sitting at the kitchen table, all by my sleepy little self, struggling to connect my thoughts with the book of Nehemiah. I thought I was only going through the motions, but then I started seeing myself in the story.
I could feel how distraught Nehemiah was over the desolate condition of God’s people, and I knew how helpless he felt to change their situation. My heart began to be so stirred with the emotions of this simple servant, that I burst into tears when I read his prayer: “‘O 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” (Neh. 1:11, NIV).
We know that Nehemiah would later go on to become an incredible leader and historical figure, but before all that, he was a servant—the king’s cupbearer—with a burden, who dared to think he could ask God to use his life to make a difference.
By now, I was riveted. I did not know why this familiar passage evoked such a response. But I continued reading and saw that there came a time, when Nehemiah was in the king’s presence, and the burdens of his heart overtook him. He said: “I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, “‘Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart’”(Neh. 2:1).
Now Nehemiah was afraid. What would this powerful man do to him? Would he be angry? Would he be incensed at what he thought was ingratitude on the part of his servant? Would he perhaps be annoyed with Nehemiah’s conduct and banish him from his presence?
None of these things happened. Instead, the king took notice of Nehemiah. Actually, he took on Nehemiah’s cause, and asked him, “‘What is it you want?’” (Neh. 2:5). Imagine what that moment must have been like for Nehemiah. Scripture says that before he answered the king, Nehemiah prayed. Then he spoke, and he unburdened his heart. The king never upbraided Nehemiah for his behavior or his requests. Rather, he granted his wishes, giving him the resources, authority and protection to do what was in his heart.
That morning, I dropped my guard, and I stopped trying to be brave, dutiful, impressive or strong. God had touched me … in spite of me. I felt as if He were saying, “What did you expect?” I admit, my expectations weren’t that high so early in the morning. God knew that, and He went right ahead and met me anyway.
Maybe some of you need to come before the King today, just as you are, in much the same way Nehemiah did. If you do, you’ll be in for a surprise, too. Our King is even more compassionate and kinder than any earthly ruler could ever be.
Brenda J. Davis is an acquisitions editor for the Strang Book Group and the former editor of SpiritLed Woman magazine.
posted by Felicia Mann at
1:36 PM
1 Comments:
ATTEND UPON THE LORD WITHOUT DISTRACTION
(See I Corinthians 7:35)
Scriptures
…why should the work cease whilst I leave it and come down to you? (See Nehemiah 6:3)
…I must be about my Father’s business? (See Luke 2:49)
The Lord bids us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)
The book of Nehemiah relates how Nehemiah committed to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He secured the aid of others, and they proceeded to be about God’s business. The rebuilding project had at least two core foes, Sanballat, and Tobiah. They used various means in their demand to halt the development, and progress of the plan. They laughed at, and mocked Nehemiah, and his men. Lies were told, schemes were hatched, death threats were made, letters were written, lures were
attempted - all this they did in their rabid efforts to stop God’s work.
What valuable lessons to be learned from the story of Nehemiah. Unquestionably, he gives an impressive example of attending unto the Lord without distraction. Nehemiah’s soul was anchored on what God had commissioned him to do. Though the conflict was fierce, it was no match for the faithful servant of God who relied on sovereign assistance to ace the destined assignment. Nehemiah, the man of God, purposed to dismiss any obstruction opposed to the divine mission. He defeated all that was arranged against it.
What counts as so remarkable in this biblical book is the righteous perseverance of Nehemiah. He sought God’s help steadfastly, and continually through supplicant prayer. He refused to allow himself to become distracted, or kept from the completion of the task. Every time the resistance came against the work, Nehemiah had an answer, a strategy, a method to overcome the plans of the enemies. He and his
people would not be deterred. They tenaciously clung to God, and the wall was rebuilt. Wise communion with the Lord enabled them to conquer through natural labor, and the skillful use of spiritual warfare.
The evil sources sought to annihilate – instead – our Lord rendered to them a crushing defeat. Again, God supplied proof that “…I am the Lord.” (See Leviticus 19:12)
Sandra Renee Hicks
P.O. Box 1210
Washington, DC 20013
cleaveg@hotmail.com
August 8, 2008
Post a Comment
<< Home