The Hand of God

Nehemiah 2:1-10; 1-18-09

1. Nehemiah was a man of character!

• As a slave Nehemiah held a position of loyalty and trust.
• By the king’s question in verse 6 it seems clear that he and his queen were concerned that Nehemiah would be away for a long time.
• Nehemiah placed the needs of others above himself.
• Character matters!

2. Nehemiah recognizes and seizes the moment.

• Being in the right place is sometimes scary. Vs 2
• When Nehemiah answers the question the king poses in Vs 2 he moves from being involved, to being committed.
• Nehemiah risks much by being honest with the king.
• Nehemiah was ready when the moment came, he was prayed up and he had done his homework. He knew what he needed from the king to help make God’s vision a reality, and he does not hold back from asking.

3. The Gracious Hand of God?

• Nehemiah recognizes that it is not because of his own greatness or the king’s favor that he has been successful, it is because of God’s gracious hand. Vs 8
• Yet even when all is going so well we see that not everyone is happy. Vs 10
• God answered Nehemiah’s prayer, what prayer is He longing to answer for you?