Nehemiah’s Prayer
Nehemiah 1:1-11; Deut 30:1-10
Introduction
- Nehemiah is a great study of leadership, but also of obedience to God
- Here is the critical thing to see this morning: prayer is always the right response
-- Re: Lots of us will go through life acting and solving … more than praying
-- Nehemiah is a great study in how prayer affects the outcomes of difficult tasks
- Read Nehemiah 1:1-11
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – Who is Nehemiah?
- Like most books in the Bible, the author begins with a salutation and timeline
- Nehemiah is the son of Hakaliah, which means, “whom Jehovah enlightens”
- Little is really known about his family, but we do have a clear timeline
- This is the 20th year of King Artaxercxe’s reign; prob. around 446 BC
-- He is residing in a place called “the citadel of Susa”, in modern day Iraq (v1)
∆ SHOW MAP
- This location was known to be a winter residence the Persian Kings
-- And for him to be there, he would’ve held a position of authority
-- Additionally, this is the month of Kislev (the 5th month of the Persian calendar)
∆ Point 1 – Who is Nehemiah?
- From the providence of Judah, comes visitors that he is acquainted with (v2)
-- One of these men is his brother, Hanani, and they have traveled to see him
- What Nehemiah questions them about sets the stage for the entire book
-- His ask is simple: “What’s happening with the exiled Jews who’ve survived?”
-- He also asks about the great city of Jerusalem and its current condition
- As a member of the king’s staff, his question was probably an official one
-- For example, since this is Persia’s kingdom, he could be asking about spies
-- He could be asking about possible revolts and things that could disrupt the king
- Nehemiah certainly knew about Artaxercxe’s judgement against Jerusalem
-- He also knew the king had no tolerance for disobedience to his orders
-- In Ezra 4 we see that the Jews were trying to build a temple to the Lord
-- This was perceived to be an act of disobedience to the Persian Empire
-- He decreed that his army put a stop to it (ref Ezra 4)
- But for some reason, Nehemiah is asking how the people are doing today
-- This ask seems more personal (based on his response to the news)
- He is told that the city is in shambles; the people are greatly distressed (v3)
- If you are in a city in this time, your walls stand as a defensive barrier
-- If you have no walls, and even the gates are destroyed, you have real issues
-- There is no protection from armies and those who would seek to do you wrong
-- Consider: Living in a house with no doors or windows on it
- APP: Once the king’s decree was made to stop them from building a temple …
-- It became a free-for-all and their city was practically destroyed
-- Ezra 4:23, “As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.”
-- IMP: Compelled them by force … stop by all means necessary (slaughter)
- TRANS: Now, watch how this king’s servant responds to the news
∆ Point 2 – Nehemiah begins to seek God
- After hearing the news Nehemiah sat down and wept (v4)
-- The bible tells us he mourned AND fasted AND prayed for several days
- It is obvious he has great sympathy for the people of Jerusalem
-- His heart aches for the Jews and their suffering they are currently enduring
-- APP: Nehemiah’s genuine concern becomes obvious by how he pursues God
- Challenge: when your heart is burdened, do you pursue God this way?
-- This is not a quick, recited prayer; it is a running after and desiring God
- Quick side note: Ch. 2 tell us his next action after prayer was in month of Nisan
-- Remember he is now in Kislev (5th month) … Nisan is the NINTH month
- HUGE: Nehemiah sought God’s wisdom on what to do for 4 months
-- It was four months before an opportunity opened up for him; shows patience
- In his journal, he wrote out the prayer of his heart … Re-read verses 5-11
∆ Point 3 – An honest prayer example
- “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God”
-- He has a heart lifted in worship to the One who hears and supplies
- “… who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him”
-- He reminds God of His faithfulness; of how worthy He is to be praised
- RE: In prayer, we have opportunity to approach the unapproachable
-- We have opportunity to speak to the very Creator of all we see and hear
-- Nehemiah gives us GREAT insight to how powerful our God is
- “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you”
-- Nehemiah continues by offering confession for his sins and his people
-- Do you see what we just learned about Nehemiah? Very important …
- APP: Nehemiah is a Jew; his cry is to the God of his fore-fathers; Jehovah
-- He acknowledges his own guilt and the sins of his own family lineage
- “We have not obeyed the commands … you gave your servant Moses.”
-- He admits that he has disobeyed what they already know is true
-- He indicts himself, and his family, against the decrees God has given
- “Remember the instruction you gave your servant, Moses”
-- Nehemiah pleads Deuteronomy 30 before God by affirming God’s power
- Turn to and read Deut 30:1-10
- God had scattered them because they were unfaithful, and Nehemiah knew it
-- This confession shows us Nehemiah’s true heart for God’s power
- “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.”
-- Nehemiah cries out to remind the Lord who these men and women are
-- They are God’s people, who’ve returned because He has brought them back
- “Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant”
-- He asks that God would once again hear the cry of his servant
-- It’s a place of self-identification to God’s authority we should see as well
- “…and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.”
-- Lord, have mercy on all those who cry out to you; who delight in your name
- “Give your servant success today …”
-- Lord, allow me to be successful today because of who you are; not who I am
-- IMP: Now watch this statement of peace in Nehemiah’s life
- “… by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
-- Nehemiah knows that the king is not going to hear/see him immediately
-- Even with a position of authority, he knows that God will have to act
-- He will have to wait his turn, and his prayer is for patience in that waiting
- Nehemiah identifies himself (v11) as a footnote - he is the king’s cupbearer
-- The cupbearer is responsible for choosing and tasting food/wine
-- It’s a position of trust and security and honor to serve in this slot
-- However, even with this CLOSE proximity, he knows he has to wait his turn
- TRANS: So, where do we end this for today?
∆ Big Idea
- Nehemiah’s prayer shows us four important facts:
1. God is faithful, constant, and unchanging
2. God forgives, even when our sins seem to be too much
3. True worship to Him leads to obedience on our part
4. Only God can act and move another’s heart to change
- Nehemiah was willing to wait, and fast, and pray for God to move
-- Will we wait on God like this WHILE we pray through the issues in our life?
-- What can we learn about praying and having patience? More on this next week.
-- Pray
