Nehemiah - Relief is only the start
We can often rally behind people who are going to aid others that have been through a crisis. We send relief and money to those that are affected by earthquakes, tornado, floods, and etc. We think about the task or action that we can do to help others.
We can often rally behind people who are going to aid others that have been through a crisis. We send relief and money to those that are affected by earthquakes, tornado, floods, and etc. We think about the task or action that we can do to help others. We see their circumstances, and say from afar, that we can help. We can make things better. In many ways, that relief does make things better. It helps people in that moment, but how we help can also affect people as well. Without intention, we can hurt people at the same time we are trying to help relieve them. However, when God calls us to relief, we should always be ready for a long ride somewhere unexpected.
The Beginning
- Nehemiah 1: 2 - 3
- First impressions: How must have Nehemiah felt?
- Nehemiah 1: 4 - 11
- What can we gleam from this?
- He knew God
- He knew scripture
- He loved his people
- He talked with God
- What can we gleam from this?
- Nehemiah 2: 1 - 2
- Why was he fearful?
- Nehemiah 2: 3 - 8
- How does Nehemiah first respond to the King?
- Would we have stated our case, or just remained silent?
- How must Nehemiah have felt as he left for Jerusalem?
- How does Nehemiah first respond to the King?
The Work
- Nehemiah 2: 17 - 18
- Is there a difference between what we believe and what we know?
- What they knew was Nehemiah was there telling them to rebuild the wall, but what they believed was that their God could do all things.
- Is there a difference between what we believe and what we know?
- Nehemiah 2: 19 - 20
- What should we expect when we are doing God's work / purpose / calling in our life?
- Nehemiah 4: 3 - 6
- Who was their focus on, the ones opposing them, or the one who was for them?
- Nehemiah 4: 12 - 20
- He reminded them, who was with them.
- Nehemiah showed great leadership and organization
- No longer the meek cup bearer
- Why?
Work Completed
- Nehemiah 6:14 - 15
- Even outsiders knew the strength of the Lord God
- Nehemiah 7: 5
- It was now time to restore, and he started with family.
- Why was this important?
- It was a reminder that God brought them out of Egypt. That he brought them back because they had been disobedient.
- Nehemiah 8: 1 - 6
- People were eager to hear the book of the law.
- Nehemiah 9: 1 - 3
- Confessed their sins to God and continued to praise Him.
Nehemiah did not just show up to help build a wall to bring relief to his people. He also stepped into Gods calling for restoration. He talked with God, and he walked with Him. He lead people to not only rebuild, but to refocus on God. He lived with them through the circumstances, and lead them to restoration. It was not just restoration of their family's land or their city. It was restoration with God, the only one that can truly provide for us. While we may want to provide relief to people, we should always think about restoration. It is not a short proposition, it is often lengthy and may be full of opposition. As we see with Nehemiah, he was only a meek cupbearer to the King, but God used him to not only bring relief, but restoration to his people. Never underestimate the distance God will carry you as you step into his purpose.