Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem

Nehemiah Chapter 2

Nehemiah the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes was serving the king one day when the king asked him why he was so sad. Nehemiah was frightened, but told the king he was sad because the city where his ancestors were buried was in ruins and the gates burned down.

When the King asked how he could help, Nehemiah told him he could help with a prayer to the God of heaven and also to send Nehemiah to Judah to rebuild the city. The king asked how long he would be gone and when he would return? And the king agreed to let him go.

Nehemiah also asked the king to give him letters to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, letting him travel safely through their territories on his way to Judah. And also a letter to Asaph the manager of the forest, for timber to make gates for the Temple fortress, the city walls and for a house for Nehemiah to live. The king granted all of this because the hand of God was on Nehemiah.

When he reached the governors of the province west of the Euphrates, he delivered the king's letters. The king had wisely sent along army officers to protect Nehemiah, but Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite were angry at Nehemiah for wanting to help Israel.

So three days after his arrival in Jerusalem, Nehemiah slipped out during the night with a few helpers and they examined and inspected the broken walls and burned gates of the city. The city officials did not know Nehemiah had been out there or what he was doing because he had not yet told them his plan. But now he said to them that the city was a tragedy and lay in ruins and told them about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He told the officials about how the gracious hand of God had been on him and about his conversation with the king.

The city officials heard this and agreed to begin work on the walls. But when Sanballat,Tobiah and Geshem the Arab heard of the plan, they scoffed and thought the rebuilders were rebelling against the king. But Nehemiah assured them that the God of heaven would make the plan succeed. His servants would rebuild the wall, but those who scoffed had no claim in Jerusalem.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The king could have killed anyone who showed sadness before him and Nehemiah had good reason to be afraid, but he had the presence of mind to pray immediately and he knew God was in charge, not he.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? This chapter is chock full of lessons- so many good lessons. I choose the one to show that all of us in this time can face opposition to our plans by those who want to block God's purpose. Some people may want us to fail. But if we expect opposition and are prepared for it, then we can rely on God to have our back and forge ahead.
Those who opposed Nehemiah were concerned that he was no ordinary exiled jew. He was the king's personal advisor and held a high position with the king's court. They recognized that a rebuilt Jerusalem was a threat to Samarian land. But Nehemiah had a vision. Have you ever had a vision or an idea that is so strong in your heart? It is natural to want to share it, isn't it? God wants you to share it. God can use one person's vision to encourage others. Suddenly one idea can create a team, a team can create action and a plan. A team can inspire others. We can all be part of God's team. We can all accomplish God's tasks if we pray and work together!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.