The Lord’s comfort

Nehemiah 2:1~20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” (20)

♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #28 Come, Thou Fount on Every Blessing (#28 in previous version)

The name Nehemiah means “The Lord comforts.” Nehemiah was anguished when the construction of the temple was brought to a halt. It grieved him to see the Israelites who had lost hold of the covenant taken into captivity of another country. Nehemiah, who was consumed with God’s desire, received God’s comfort just as his name implied. What is the comfort that Nehemiah received and how does God comfort His children?

1. God comforts greatly the fellow workers of faith
In the Bible are recorded evangelists who, knowing the importance of the temple, prayed to God. Ezra and Nehemiah prayed to restore the city of God. Daniel with his three friends and Esther prayed to save their idol worshipping nation. What they all had in common was that they anguished for the sake of the Gospel over the field covered with the forces of darkness. Even if there is only one person having worries for the sake of the Gospel according to God’s desire, the door of answers will open.

2. God grants greater answers
Many evangelists and believers who knew the Gospel were persecuted in every age. Whenever an evangelism movement arose, there were opposing forces. Difficulties before our eyes may seem great and obstacles may arise in the path to sharing the Gospel. Sanballat and Tobiah opposed Nehemiah, but Nehemiah disregarded them and prayed to God all the more earnestly to fulfill God’s plan. In the end, God comforted Nehemiah and bound all the opposing forces.

3. Unimaginable answers comes
God’s power is beyond what man can imagine. The only thing Nehemiah did was pray for the Israelites and the rebuilding of the temple, and yet God gave him great answers that would be recorded in history. God rebuilt the temple, and allowed the Israelites to reform their faith and allowed their fallen nation to rise completely. Amazing answers of saving a nation and its people came because of one person, Nehemiah who concerns and worries for the sake of the Gospel.

Forum Topic
Do we have concerns or worries that weigh on our hearts? Let us think about the worries that God would be pleased with as we meditate on the Book of Nehemiah.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2013.2.10