Please open your Bible to Nehemiah 2:1,2 “Why is Your Face Sad?”

“The quickest way to make yourself miserable is to start wondering whether you are as happy as you could be.”

“Why Is Your Face Sad?” Discouragement Lost loved one Guilt Being mistreated “Why Is Your Face Sad?”

“God wants us to always be happy. Right?” To Always be “happy” would take away one of the greatest schoolrooms on earth! James 1:2-4– “the testing of your faith produces patience”

Nehemiah Nehemiah 1:1-4– “wall of Jerusalem broken down…gates burned with fire… sat down and wept, and mourned for many days…fasting and praying before God” Saddened by desolation and disgrace of Jerusalem Overcame Sorrow by ambition, prayer and hard work – Nehemiah 1:5-2:6

Elijah 1 Kings 19:1-4, 10 – “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done,… Jezebel sent… to Elijah,… "make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.“… he…ran for his life,….and sat down…prayed that he might die,… “children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." God encouraged Elijah – 1 Kings 19:13-18 The devil sidelines us by discouragement, but our God encourages us! – Romans 8:31-39; Acts 18:9-11 Discouragement the Devil’s weapon- Philippians 4:13

David 2 Samuel 12:15-18 – David was saddened because his child was ill, and the fault was his own After the child died, David chose to once again face life with faith! – 2 Samuel 12:19-23 David shows us the only way to properly face the challenge of death when it touches our lives – ”I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Philippians 1:21- “to live is Christ, to die is gain” Revelation 14:13- “Blessed are the dead…” Psalm 116:15- “Precious…death of His saints.”

Hannah 1 Samuel 1:1-8 – Hannah was saddened because she had no children Hannah found comfort in turning to God with her request, even before her prayer was answered – 1 Samuel 1:9-18 God gave her the desire on her heart! She continued in prayer to the Lord, and didn’t give up

Jonathan 1 Samuel 20:17-34 – Saddened by father’s desire to kill David 1 Samuel 20:35-42 – “May the Lord be between you and me….forever.” Must learn to practice a Sincere Love- John 13:34,25 “love one another” Romans 12:9 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

Ahab 1 Kings 21:1-4– Wanted the Vineyard of Naboth. Afflicted with sadness when he could not get it! 1 Kings 21:5-29- Jezebel tried to cheer him up by taking the Vineyard forcibly. God sent Elijah to pronounce judgment on Ahab and on Jezebel Hebrews 13:5,6 “I will never leave you nor forsake you…The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.” Philippians 4:11 ”learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

Rich Young Ruler Matthew 19:16-22– always kept the Law of Moses but realized there must be more. When told what was needed to “be perfect,” went away sorrowful. Must choose Who we are going to serve - Matthew 6:24 “cannot serve God and mammon” Joshua 24:15 “choose this day whom you will serve” Nothing but Sadness comes from trying to serve TWO MASTERS!

Peter Luke 22:31-34– Boldly proclaimed he would never deny the Lord. Jesus told him he would deny Him, three times! Luke 22:54-62 – When moment of truth arrived, he did exactly as the Lord said. Faced with intense guilt Matthew 3:8 -Must bear fruits worthy of repentance

“Why Is Your Face Sad?” Discouragement Lost loved one Guilt Being mistreated “Why Is Your Face Sad?” Ecclesiastes 7:3,4

Salvation in Jesus Christ Greatest Source of Joy Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, All You who Labor and are Heavy Laden, and I will give you Rest…” Mark 16:15,16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…”

Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”