Have you ever been sad to the point that it showed on your face? All of us have faced sadness. All of us have been discouraged. All of us have experienced down times. The important thing is that we find strength to pull us out of those dark moments. God will give strength to change sadness into singing. In the book of Nehemiah we find inspiration for such times. There was a point in Nehemiah’s life when he went from sadness to singing. In Nehemiah 2:2 we find the words of King Artaxerxes. “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” (NKJV) In the latter part of the book of Nehemiah the tone has changed. The Israelite people are experiencing revival. They are singing. Nehemiah set the pace for such a change. How do you get out of those sad times? That is an important question! I want to give you some Biblical guidelines that will help you move from sadness to singing. There are four resources found in the book of Nehemiah. These resources are not exhaustive but they made a difference in Nehemiah’s life and they will make a difference for you.
I. The first resource that will change sadness to singing is prayer. In Nehemiah 1 we find the first of twelve prayers of Nehemiah. The prayer in chapter 1 is the longest of the prayers. This is the most intense of Nehemiah’s prayers. As he prayed he fasted, cried, and mourned. His heart is broken. The prayer in chapter 1 seemed to prime Nehemiah’s pump. The other prayers are heart felt but not as intense. What do we learn from Nehemiah about prayer, in this book? What does this teach us that will aid us in our down times?
A. It teaches us to pray in all things. Nehemiah turned to God in prayer in all things.
Nehemiah prayed when he had a burden. (1:4-10).
Nehemiah prayed for God’s direction. (1:11)
Nehemiah prayed when he was sad (2:4).
Nehemiah prayed when he was attacked (4:4, 9)
Nehemiah prayed for wisdom and to be a man of integrity (5:19).
Nehemiah prayed when criticized (6:9).
Nehemiah prayed in order to bless God’s name (9:5ff).
Nehemiah prayed to confess sin and to seek God’s blessings. (13:14, 22,29, 31)
Joke: I read about a little boy who teaches us the importance of praying about everything. This fifth grade boy heard a sermon about persistence in prayer. As his dad passed his door, he heard the boy praying over and over again, "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." The next day, the dad asked his son what he was doing. The boy replied that he had given the wrong answer on a test for the capital of Mexico, and he was praying that God would make Tokyo the capital of Mexico.
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Robert Garrett)
In Phil. 4:6 we find a verse that underscores this truth. Paul said “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (NKJV)
B. I once had a friend who experienced many burdens before his death. He had open heart surgery, cancer, and a chronic disease. He once told me, “Tim I have always believed in prayer. Since becoming ill I have learned to survive by prayer.” Prayer was his lifeline.
II. A second resource that will change sadness to singing is to move beyond the past. In our text the walls of Jerusalem were in shambles and the city was in disarray. However, God did not leave the people there. No matter where you have been or what you have done, God does not desert you. A couple of weeks ago I shared a verse that reminds us of God’s plans for His people. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT) In order to grasp the future we must sometimes let go of the past.
The past could include: financial problems, broken relationships, disappointment with others, shattered dreams, divorce, poor decisions, and failure. God wants us to let go and move beyond the past. The past can be either positive or negative. Let me illustrate both points from the Bible.
A. The past can be a negative force in our lives.
Illustration: A good example of this truth was Judas. Judas was one of Jesus’ first twelve disciples. Judas was given the same privilege as the other eleven disciples. He heard Jesus’ teachings. He sat at Jesus feet. However, he had the notable distinction of being the one who betrayed Jesus and brought the authorities to arrest Him. Betrayal was not the unforgivable sin. Betrayal was not the end of the world. Judas could not handle his failure. His guilt was more than he could manage. After betraying Jesus he went out and hung himself. The failure of the past can destroy you.
B. The past can be a positive force in our lives.
The apostle Paul gives us a scripture that outlines the right attitude toward the past. He said he was “forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” (Phil. 3:14 NLT) These words were written by a man who had a dark past. He had supported and encouraged the execution and persecution of believers.
Illustration: Consider Chuck Colson, the aide to Richard Nixon who was sent to jail for his part in Watergate. Chuck Colson met Jesus Christ. One of the positive benefits that came out of that tragedy was the establishment of Prison Fellowship, now the world’s largest Christian outreach to prisoners and their families. Prison Fellowship has more than 50,000 volunteers working in hundreds of prisons in 88 countries around the world. This ministry has blessed millions of people. This wonderful ministry started twenty-five years ago because Chuck Colson committed a crime. God’s eternal purpose for that man included even the sin that sent him to prison. It was a part of God’s plan from the very beginning. But the story that matters most isn’t Paul’s or Chuck Colson’s, it is yours. And what I want to say to you this morning is that the story of your life has not been ruined, not by your sin or anyone else’s. God’s good plan for your life is not buried under the mistakes of the past. God has a plan for your life, a good plan, a wise plan, a loving plan, a sovereign plan, and that plan is still in effect. You haven’t missed it. He is working out that plan in your life right now, today. Will you believe that? And will you renew your commitment this morning to seeking God, and following Him, and serving Him with your whole heart; free of the past, no longer weighed down by regret? (SOURCE: Alan Perkins in "Getting Past Your Past." http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp? SermonID=34927&ContributorID=5916)
III. A third resource that will change sadness to singing is to trust the providence of God. Providence refers to God’s intervention in a situation. Nehemiah believed that God was providentially at work in this situation. Let me show you the providence of God in Nehemiah’s situation.
• Nehemiah was the cup-bearer to the king. The king was the only person who could help Nehemiah with the rebuilding project. Nehemiah needed the king’s support. The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and asked for an explanation. (vs. 2) The king gave his support. That is providence!
• Nehemiah asked for permission to return and rebuild Jerusalem. Let me remind you that this was the king who had originally stopped a prior construction effort. Nehemiah was given permission (vs. 5-6). That is providence!
• Nehemiah asked for letters authorizing his trip. These letters would give him authority with local leaders to perform his task. Nehemiah was given the letters. That is providence!
• Nehemiah asked for letters giving him authority to cut trees from the king’s forest in order to rebuild the city and the walls. Nehemiah was given the authority. That is providence!
The explanation for all of this is found in verse 8. “The king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.” After Nehemiah had completed his preparatory work he testified of God’s goodness to God’s people. In verse 18 he said “I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me.” That is providence!
Many of us have come to love and appreciate a verse that assures us of God’s providence in our lives. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 NASV)
Illustration: Let me share a good example of providence. While living in Northport Judy and I built a home. After living there for about six or seven years we decided to sell that home. We tried for five years to sell but to no avail. At one point we thought we had a buyer and set up a closing. We moved into a mobile home. However, the buyer never came through. After five years we finally sold. That was a frustrating five years. We purchased another home, in Northport, lived in it one year and Faith Baptist called me to be its pastor. We put a “for sale” sign in the front yard and after one month sold that home. In fact, we had three families who wanted to buy that house on the same day. Providence matters! God’s timing matters.
The greatest example of trusting God’s providence is found in the Bible. The Old Testament character, Joseph, trusted God’s unfailing providence. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and ultimately thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit. What did Joseph have to say? “God sent me before you to preserve life.” (Gen. 45:5 NKJV) No matter how dark the night, no matter how deep the pit, Joseph trusted the providence of God.
IV. A fourth resource that will change sadness to singing is to focus on God’s purpose for your life. Nehemiah was a cup-bearer for the king. God intended Nehemiah to be more than a cup-bearer. Serving as a cup-bearer was his job. Nehemiah understood this task; however, he knew he had a larger purpose. In verse 12 Nehemiah testified that God had placed a purpose within his heart. In verse 17 he shared that purpose with God’s people. His purpose was to lead God’s people to find themselves. God intended the Israelites to be more than captives. He chose them to be his special people. God had a purpose for them and he has a purpose for you. Sometimes we get hung up on this thing of God’s purpose.
Let me share two things that will help you understand God’s purpose for your life.
A. The first part of God’s purpose is to know God. If you look back at verse 5 & 6 of chapter 1 you discover that Nehemiah had a personal and intimate relationship with God. The first part of anyone’s purpose is to know God. Life’s purpose begins with God. When you turn to the book of Genesis, chapter 1 explains the beginning of all things. All things begin with God. Do not get hung up on this thing of knowing God’s specific purpose for your life. Begin with a desire to know God.
B. The second part of God’s purpose for your life is to honor God. The purpose statement for our church is “the purpose of Faith Baptist Church is to glorify God.” We were created to glorify His name.
If you focus on your relationship with God and commit your life to honoring God, then you will discover your specific purpose. Relationship and dedication precede specific plans. Once you discover those plans God will lift your sadness. God desires that each of us move from sadness to singing. The ability to sing does not require a removal of circumstances. The ability to sing involves singing in the midst of your circumstances. That is what we see in Nehemiah’s life.
