Nehemiah
In February of 1997 their was a fire that tore through the string of businesses which were connected to our restaurant. By the time we were notified and got there, the ceiling had caved in and what we saw were the remains of what the day before had been our livelihood. Looking at destruction is devastating. Fortunately in today's world there is insurance to cover rebuilding costs. Now let's put ourselves in Nehemiah's position. Nehemiah was faced with looking at the state of the walls of Jerusalem with a sense of deep grief. His insurance was prayer and trusting God and he knew it. From the very beginning until the end, Nehemiah prayed. When he first learned of the state of Jerusalem he prayed and this prepared his heart, giving God room to work. When he went to go speak to the king his prayers were answered and he was treated with favor. When he was mocked, he didn't react to his feelings, he went to God in prayer. Every step of the way he showed trust in God. The result was accomplishing what seemed to be the impossible - the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt in 52 days. Much like us, Nehemiah was an ordinary man who God chose to use in an extraordinary way. Through Nehemiah's prayers, the wall was rebuilt because it's foundation was based on prayer and the answers came from God. I'm learning that there are two parts in our service for God. First we talk to Him, then we listen and walk with Him. I didn't know the Lord when our restaurant burned down so my life was rebuilt depending on everything else except prayer. A few years later we were once again faced with destruction. Is anyone aside from me noticing a pattern here? God, through His mercy and grace, has once again put me in a season of rebuilding. This time to Him be the glory. In Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 5:19 and 13:31 he says "remember me with favor, my God". I pray Lord for all of us that whatever aspect or our lives needs to be rebuilt we turn to You in prayer knowing and trusting that You are remembering us in favor and we are putting into practice Your words like wise men, building our house on the rock. (Matthew 7:25)
Randi
In February of 1997 their was a fire that tore through the string of businesses which were connected to our restaurant. By the time we were notified and got there, the ceiling had caved in and what we saw were the remains of what the day before had been our livelihood. Looking at destruction is devastating. Fortunately in today's world there is insurance to cover rebuilding costs. Now let's put ourselves in Nehemiah's position. Nehemiah was faced with looking at the state of the walls of Jerusalem with a sense of deep grief. His insurance was prayer and trusting God and he knew it. From the very beginning until the end, Nehemiah prayed. When he first learned of the state of Jerusalem he prayed and this prepared his heart, giving God room to work. When he went to go speak to the king his prayers were answered and he was treated with favor. When he was mocked, he didn't react to his feelings, he went to God in prayer. Every step of the way he showed trust in God. The result was accomplishing what seemed to be the impossible - the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt in 52 days. Much like us, Nehemiah was an ordinary man who God chose to use in an extraordinary way. Through Nehemiah's prayers, the wall was rebuilt because it's foundation was based on prayer and the answers came from God. I'm learning that there are two parts in our service for God. First we talk to Him, then we listen and walk with Him. I didn't know the Lord when our restaurant burned down so my life was rebuilt depending on everything else except prayer. A few years later we were once again faced with destruction. Is anyone aside from me noticing a pattern here? God, through His mercy and grace, has once again put me in a season of rebuilding. This time to Him be the glory. In Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 5:19 and 13:31 he says "remember me with favor, my God". I pray Lord for all of us that whatever aspect or our lives needs to be rebuilt we turn to You in prayer knowing and trusting that You are remembering us in favor and we are putting into practice Your words like wise men, building our house on the rock. (Matthew 7:25)
Randi
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