Rise Up and Make Something Happen

Well, it’s another day’s journey, and I am glad about it.  Last week kicked off the Rise Up campaign at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church.  We are studying the book of Nehemiah and taking nuggets of wisdom from his life.  While not a prophet or priest, Nehemiah was a worker in the kingdom of God.  The sermon from Sunday provided more practical ways that I can apply the word of God in my life. 

Nehemiah 2:1-5 opens by telling us that it is the month of Nisan.  This means that four months have passed since Nehemiah has prayed his prayer in chapter one.  Four months of fasting.  Four months of praying.  Four months of believing God.  While nothing seems to have changed.  The city still lies in ruins.  Four months of waiting.

Although waiting can be frustrating, Nehemiah provides a good example of the proper attitude to have during a waiting season.  He does not show up to work every day with a frown on his face.  Actually, having a poor disposition at his job could literally cost him his life.  He is the cupbearer to the king.  His job is to taste all the king’s food and drink before the king does.  He does this to protect the king from poison that may have been placed into his food or drink.  A poor disposition or sour attitude could make the king distrustful.  The king took notice when Nehemiah’s normal countenance turned sad.  He knew that Nehemiah had to be experiencing a sorrow of heart.

Waiting on the Lord is not for the faint of heart.  I know from experience that His timing is not my own.  Often, I do not wait with a good attitude.  Unlike Nehemiah, my struggle can be seen on my face.  It can be seen in the way that I interact with others.  It can be heard in my tone of voice.  While Nehemiah is waiting on God to move, he is not found sulking in the house or pouting.  He is at work.  He is carrying out the duties that have been assigned to him.

Nehemiah is open with the king and shares that he is distressed because Jerusalem is in ruins.  The king asks Nehemiah what he would like.  Pastor pinpointed a key practical practice that is worthy of our attention.  Before he answers the king, Nehemiah shoots off a prayer to God.  Now, we know that Nehemiah has been in prayer and fasting for four months.  In my mind, this is the time to run through the open door.  However, Nehemiah has enough wisdom to consult God for confirmation before strolling through.  Because he has invested time in a real prayer life with God, he does not have to roll on the floor and rip his tunic.  He is able to say a short prayer and move in the right direction.  His personal relationship with God provides him assurance at a moment that could have been disastrous.  Note to self:  Have a consistent, persistent, personal prayer life. 

Nehemiah did not squander his time of waiting.  He used that time to properly position himself.  When the king asked, Nehemiah had a plan that he was able to share without hesitation.  While we are waiting, we should be planning.  We have to be prepared when God grants our requests.  Waiting is not the time to twiddle our thumbs.  It an opportunity to be ready, willing, and able to participate in all that God is doing.

Patience, prayer, and planning go a long way in leading fulfilling Christian lives.  Nehemiah is a great example for us today.  Sunday’s sermon reminded me that I have a responsibility to rise up and make something happen.  #wepreach

Questions to Ponder:

• What attitude do you have when you are waiting for God to answer a prayer request?
• What does your prayer life look like? Do you have dedicated times of prayer? Do you pray small prayers throughout the day?
• What is the longest amount of time that you have waited for God’s promises to come to pass?
• What is the shortest amount of time that you have waited for God’s promises to come to pass?