Serve God As You Are (1/23/23)

Nehemiah 2:1-10

NEHEMIAH

4/1/2023

Read: Nehemiah 2:1-10 (AMP)

Biblical Lesson…

In the end of Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah prays to God to grant him the opportunity to find favor with the king of Persia.  In Nehemiah 2:1-10, God answers Nehemiah's request as Nehemiah, in his position of cupbearer, serves King Artaxerxes and his queen.  When a person's heart is willing to do God's will and to act on faith, God will work with that person in whatever position/career he is in or with whomever he deals.

 

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

This approach is seen throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament and New Testament, examples of those least likely because of their position in society becoming the one chosen for God's purposes. Consider the following examples:

  • Joseph, years of captivity, slavery and then promoted to second-in-command in Egypt  (Genesis 39-41);

  • Deborah, a woman, prophetess and judge of Israel in a time of oppression for Israel (Judge 4-5);

  • Peter, Andrew, James and John– all career fishermen until Jesus called them to discipleship as the first apostles(Matthew 4:18-22); or

  • Paul, a pharisee of pharisees, who persecuted the first followers of Jesus Christ and called by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:11-24).

Today's Version…

For many people today, they often feel stuck, pigeon-holed or pegged into a role, job or station-in-life from which they can't seem to breakout or breakaway. Statements of "I am just a [insert your descriptor]…what can I possibly do.." occur often. Isn't this similar to Nehemiah's view? What is the difference between what you think and do today to what Nehemiah thought and did?

What to do…

Well, let's take Nehemiah's example and partner with God. 

  1. Pray: Ask the Lord to show you His perspective and to grant you clarity with regard to the role, job or station-in-life that you feel stuck in. Ask what the Lord wishes you to do and await the answer. Be in constant prayer.

  2. Capture negative thoughts and redirect it to something positive.

  3. When you think you have a sense about what to do, take the first step in faith and thank the Lord for being with you each step of the way.

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