Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Nehemiah: Sharing the Vision

Yesterday we talked about being careful about sharing the vision the moment God gives it to us or the even when we are in the midst of the people God has called us to. There is a correct time and sometimes we are called to survey the situation and seek God's timing. After Nehemiah accessed the situation and had a better appreciation for what needed to be done he knew it was time to cast the vision to the leaders of his people.
Nehemiah 2:17-18
<<<<18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. >>>>
In ancient days a wall around a city was protection against enemies who would invade and plunder at will. Nehemiah told the leaders what they already knew about the potential for plunder and encouraged them to rebuild the wall so that they would no longer be sitting ducks for their enemies and publicly disgraced. Sometimes we know the problem but don't know how to solve it...God brought Nehemiah to show God's plan. Nehemiah shared with them the story about how God had given him favor with the king and provision for the job. The plan was accepted and the work was to be started.
Enemies Mock: Nehemiah responds
Nehemiah 2:19-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Get used to seeing these enemies throughout the story of Nehemiah. They hate the people of God and anything that would help give courage and peace to Israel. Nehemiah's reactions keep everything going according to God's plan. Remember your reaction to the devil and his assaults can make or break a situation. First of all, remember God's plan is to prosper His people and to see their good come about. Remember also that even things that seem impossible are possible with God. Nehemiah's enemies try to claim they have a right to the land...Nehemiah lets them know that in reality they have no historic right to the land. The enemy of our soul tries to destroy God's plan....I'm convinced we can like Nehemiah stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord.

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