This week in our series, You Were Made for This, we continued the story of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a prophet who served as the king's cupbearer in Persia when he received a divine burden from the Lord to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Today, we will explore how he responded to this divine burden. After all, God gives each of us divine burdens —problems or needs we see around us that we can't stop thinking about —and we are responsible for how we respond to them.
How has God uniquely equipped you to do something about the burden that God has placed in your life?
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1. Read Nehemiah 2:1-5. Describe Nehemiah's emotions as the king asked him why he appeared to be in mourning. What was at stake for approaching the king about his divine burden?
Nehemiah 2:1-5
Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, 5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
2. How did Nehemiah demonstrate boldness and courage during this interaction with the king?
3. Read Nehemiah 2:6-8. What is surprising about the king’s response to Nehemiah’s requests?
Nehemiah 2:6-8
The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request. 7 I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. 8 And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.
4. How did Nehemiah respond to the king’s response to his request? (Hint: See verse 8.)
1. When it comes to the burden that God has placed on your heart, what fears might be holding you back from taking a step of courage?
2. How do you see God’s hand at work when it comes to the divine burden He has placed on your heart?
3. What step of boldness and courage can you take this week when it comes to the divine burden God has placed on your heart?
Break up into groups of two or three and pray together. Pray together for boldness to take the steps of courage that God is calling us to take when it comes to the divine burdens God has placed on your hearts. Commit to boldly taking those steps of courage this week.
Nehemiah showed great courage and boldness as he acted on his divine burden that God placed in his heart. As we reflect on the burdens God has placed on our hearts, we have every reason to move forward with confidence. For the next few moments, let’s take a look at three reasons why we can be courageous: God’s timing is perfect, God’s plans will always come to fruition, and God’s power is always at work, especially when we feel weak.
We learned in the weekend message that after learning about the destruction of Jerusalem's walls, four months went by before Nehemiah had an opportunity to approach the king about his divine burden. Throughout those months, he wept and grieved as he waited for an opportunity to address the burden God had given him. Then, when God gave him an opportunity, he seized it boldly and saw that God's timing is perfect. Read about God's perfect timing below, which gives us complete confidence as we wait for Him to give us opportunities to do something about the burdens he gives us.
1. Read 2nd Peter 3:8-9.
2nd Peter 3:8-9
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s timing?
3. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s desire when it comes to His timing?
4. How does understanding that God’s timing is perfect give you courage as you think about acting on the divine burden that He has given you?
Throughout Scripture, we see that God is always in control. This truth means that His plans will come to fruition 100% of the time. When He places divine burdens on our hearts, we can move forward in boldness, knowing that His plans cannot be stopped.
1. Read Proverbs 21:30.
Proverbs 21:30
No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
2. Summarize the truth in this passage of Scripture.
3. How have you found this truth to be true in your own life?
4. How does understanding that God's plans cannot be thwarted give you courage as you think about acting on the divine burden that God has given you?
When it comes to our divine burdens, fear may tempt us to stay put and refuse to do anything about them. At the top of the list of fears we may have, fear of being unqualified is often at the top. We see these needs and issues that we cannot stop thinking about, and wonder how we can do anything to help. The good news, however, is that we are not alone when it comes to the divine burdens God has given us. In fact, God is with us and His power is at work within us. When we are weak, His power is made even more prevalent through us.
1. Read 2nd Corinthians 12:5b-10.
2nd Corinthians 12:5b-10
I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2. What was the purpose of the weakness Paul struggled with, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. Why would Paul only boast about his weaknesses?
4. How does the knowledge that God’s power works through your weaknesses give you courage as you think about acting on the divine burden that God has given you?
Choose a verse (or group of verses) from our Scripture reading today to memorize as you think about moving forward when it comes to the divine burdens that God has given us. Share with your group what Scripture you chose to memorize and why. Bring that Scripture to mind often, especially as you take steps of courage to act on the divine burdens that God has placed on your heart.
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