Some months later, the Lord gave Nehemiah an opportunity.. The king approached him because he saw something in Nehemiah that was troubling him. Nehemiah was faithfully carrying on with his job and carrying the God-given burden too! As he did this, God opened up the doors of opportunity. Nehemiah didn't try to open the door himself but simply waited upon the Lord with the burden until the Lord showed His time.

There are three main lessons to learn from this stage in Nehemiah's Calling....

(a) Nehemiah Was Faithful In Little Things.

As well as being a man of God, Nehemiah has a secular job. He used his talents and his character was moulded so that he rose to become the 'King's Cup-bearer' - a job given only to someone trusted completely as poison was a political weapon at this time. Nehemiah was so good an employee, that when he presented his need, the King gave Nehemian all the help needed.

Group or Individual Activity: Ask each person 'How can you improve your everyday work as so be like Nehemiah ? Discuss.

(b) Nehemiah Had A Clear, Reachable Target.

Group or Individual Activity: Discuss what Nehemiah's clear, reachable target was.

It was a difficult goal, but no impossible. From then on, that idea was the entire purpose in his life. When God places a burden on our hearts that we take in earnest upon ourselves, our whole life will be gripped by, masteres by and effected by that over-riding vision.

We must narrow down what God is saying to us into a clear, reachable objective...

Group or Individual Activity: Discuss which of the following is a clear, reachable,objective ...

A Pastor Who Says.....

(a) I want to reach the world for Christ.

(b) I want to serve the Lord.

(c) I want to form three house groups, in three neighbouring areas where there is no church.

It is essential that we can state our God-given vision in a clear and reachable way. This is not to say we force the vision and move in presumption, but we need to interpret what God is saying into real, achievable terms.

(c) Nehemiah Planned Carefully And Seized His Opportunity Wisely.

When at last the opportunity arose for Nehemiah with the King it is clear that he had worked out what he needed....

At one stroke he obtained from the King...

*Permission to travel.

*Letters of recommendation.

* Wood for building.

* An armed guard.

This was not a list of things thought up at the last minute but had been carefully and prayerfully thought through .

Group or Individual Activity: Think about the possible consequences if Nehemiah had not obtained any one of the above. Discuss.

Further, on his arrival at Jerusalem, Nehemiah was not frantic to begin...

* He acted calmly (he waited three days).

* He acted prudently (went out secretly by night).

* He was thorough (checked everything personally and in detail.)

Group or individual activity: Get each person to write the answers to the following questions on a piece of paper...

- Have you made a concrete analysis of your situation ?

- What do you need to carry out your work ?

- What plans have you to reach your objective ?

Everyone share what you have written. Pray for each other.

Now you can go back and continue this lesson.

Content  

Copyright 1999 Gibson Family Productions E-mail Tim with any queries.