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Bible Study: Overcoming Discouragement
Date: Jun 6th, 2008 2:10:12 pm - Subscribe
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Overcoming Discouragement 06.06.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday June 6, 2008 and today we are beginning our studies on the book of Nemehiah. Please read Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read. biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehimiah%201-3&version=9

The book of Nemehiah is the sixteenth book of the Old Testamant and contains 13 chapters. The author of the book is Nemehiah and it was written to the people of Israel. The purpose of the book was to show the continuation of the history of Israel and the record of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The book focuses on the importance of learning that there is no opportunity without opposition and faith without works is dead.

Today we will read and lear about Nehemiah's prayer for Jerusalem and his leave of absence; Nehemiah inspecting Jerusalem's walls; and the builder of the walls. today's message focuses on the importance of not becoming discouraged no matter what opposition we face. The more difficult the circumstance the more blessings are waiting on the other side.

The splendor of Jerusalem "the Holy City" has been reduced to broken down walls, burned gates, and the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Kingdom. When Nehemiah's relative Hanani arrived in Persia from Jerusalem, he told Nehemiah of the pitiful conditions that existed there. "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven," (Nehemiah 1:1-4).

Over a period of about four months, he continued to pray, "And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned." (1:5-6).

When King Artaxerxes asked why he was so sad, Nehemiah told him that it was because the city was wasted. "And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?" (2:1-3). The king graciously responded by appointing him governor over Judah and commissioned him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The king even provided some of the materials.

Three basic characteristics made Nehemiah's efforts a success. First, his desire to do the will of God. This led him to leave the luxury and security of living in the king's palace in Persia and to endure the hardships in Jerusalem in order to restore the City of God. Second, he not only fasted and prayed, but he confessed, we have not kept the Commandments. He recognized that obedience to the Word of God is essential to answered prayer. Third, he was determined to persuade his people to join him in rebuilding the walls, regardless of the opposition.

The ministry of God is sure to meet with opposition when we decide to occupy our time on eternal treasures rather than the trash of earthly desires and do the will of God. Sanballat and his followers attempted to stop work on rebuilding the Temple and restoring the walls around Jerusalem. "But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." (2:19-20).

Any ministry initiated of God will suffer attacks and ridicule in one way or another. When the Lord's work cannot otherwise be hindered, an evil motive is sure to be suggested. Scoffing, scandal, and slander have always been favorite tools of Satan and of the Church's enemies to undermind the people of God. But God's Word assures us, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4).

Nehemiah refused to become discouraged and give up because he knew that accomplishing the will of God is dependent upon remembering that He is Sovereign over the affairs of our lives. God's path is rarely the path of least resistance. But God's Word says the way is straight and narrow.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Nehemiah's prayer for his people (Nehemiah 1:4-11). Christ also prayed for His own people throughout the ages which includes us today (John 17:20).

Today's Psalm: 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
In the midst of our trials may the problem at hand not be the single focus of our prayers. Help us to seek You for godly understanding and patient endurance, so that our lives are spiritually maturing in the process of waiting upon You to answer our prayers. In Jesus' name, I pray......Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day!
God Bless,
Christina


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