Title: God's Good Hand
Contents
God's good hand (Nehemiah 2:1-10)
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What kind of person does God's good hand help?
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I. one who grieves for the work of God
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< Nehemiah had sorrow in his heart, but it was not for himself. He had already made a career out of it and became a vassal of the Persian kings. He was hospitable in the royal palace. He had no worries for himself. Nehemiah's sorrow was for his people and for Jerusalem. When the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem, they were grieved when they heard that they were suffering afflictions and insults because they could not build a ruined city and had no gate. He said that Jerusalem is the place where the temple of God is, the place where the holy name of the LORD God is laid. This sorrow for Jerusalem is sorrow for the glory and name of God.
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There are two worries in the Bible. “Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
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① The world is worried. It is the general concern about food, clothing and shelter that people in the world do. It is a concern for fame and power. The Bible tells us not to worry like this. It is said that the sorrows of this world bring death.
② It is the sorrow that follows the will of God. It is said that the more you worry about doing God's will, the better. He said that he will have no regrets, and that he will achieve greater salvation. Dear all! What are we worried about? I hope that you will become saints who are grieving spiritually for the work of God. So, I pray that the help of God's good hand will be with you.
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II. a person who prays for God's work
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< Nehemiah was a man of prayer. He was not only grieving for the work of God. He prayed for the rebuilding of the fallen Jerusalem. Wept and fasted and prayed for God's mercy. I confessed my sins and prayed. Nehemiah was a trusted servant of the king, who could meet King Artaxerxes from time to time. So Nehemiah could have told the king his wish directly. But Nehemiah did not do that. First, I prayed to God. This is what's important. Before starting something, pray for it. It was very difficult for Nehemiah to get permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. It was because King Artaxerxes had very negative thoughts about the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem.
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He was always a praying man. Prayer was his way of life. So, at the decisive moment, Nehemiah was able to pray. So I got the king's permission. Even everything necessary for the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem was granted. Nehemiah said this was "the king gave permission, because the good hand of my God helped me" (v. 2). Everyone! There is nothing that God's good hand cannot help with. As you believe in Almighty God and pray for God's work, I pray that you will become saints with the help of God's good hand.
Ⅲ. one who waits for God's work
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< Nehemiah's prayer was not answered immediately. Nehemiah waited until God gave him a chance. When did Nehemiah hear the news of Jerusalem and pray for the rebuilding of Jerusalem? Gisle month (November-December in the solar calendar). When God's answer came, it is the month of Nisan (March-April in the solar calendar). After Nehemiah started praying, he prayed and waited for four months. A person who prays must learn to wait. “I waited and waited for the Lord, and he gave ear to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1). David prayed and waited. God heard David's prayer as he waited, and said, "He pulled him up out of the dreadful pit and pit and put him on a rock."
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People are too impatient. But God is not in a hurry. There are times when answers are slow, such as when God covers his face. But we have to wait and look to God. Prayer will always be answered. However, the answers to prayer are various. "Yes, No, Wait" The person who prays must learn to wait. God answered Nehemiah at the most appropriate time. Nisan is the best time of year. This is the best time for Nehemiah to travel to Jerusalem or to build the city. God responded by taking these climatic conditions into account. God responds at the appointed time and at the most appropriate time. Dear all! I pray that you may become a praying and waiting saint like Nehemiah and receive the blessing of the help of God's good hand.
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IV. one who plans for God's work
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< Nehemiah was not only a man of prayer, but also a man of planning. He was a man who had a meticulous plan for the work of God. To Nehemiah's request to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, King Artaxerxes gave permission and said, "How long will it take to rebuild the city? When will you be able to return after all the work?" (verses 5-6). asked. At this time, Nehemiah said that I had set a deadline and told the king. "If you give me this amount of time, I will return after finishing my work. There will be many difficulties on the way to Jerusalem, so please give me a pass. Also, give me the wood needed to rebuild the city." Nehemiah had a plan ahead of time.
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Dear all! God's good hand helped Nehemiah to grieve, pray, wait, and plan for God's work to do great things. Like Nehemiah, I hope that you will become saints who worry, pray, wait and plan for God's work. I pray that you will always receive blessings from the help of good hands.