Ordinary People … ……Extra-ordinary Faith Nehemiah - faith & action in the work place [Neh. Chapters 1 & 2] Andy Dymond

Context for Nehemiah’s life  Persian (Iranian) exile period  5 th Century BC  Descended from Jewish exiles captured & brought into Babylonian exile 140 or so years previously (586 BC)  Then the Persians conquered Babylon in 539 BC  Cyrus the Great chosen by God (Isaiah 45: 1-7) to “subdue nations”, open doors, to return the Jews to Israel and to rebuild Jerusalem (538 BC)  Many Jews remained permanently in Persia & some in high positions but were never secure  The scene is set several generations after the return (445 BC)  Nehemiah had become a cup-bearer (wine taster) to the King

Setting the scene  Nehemiah’s position was one of influence and honour, but also of risk  Compare Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David, Daniel, Esther  The information came through natural connections  A brother with others came to him with news (Ch 1: 1-2)  But acting on it brought huge risk to Nehemiah (Ch 2: 2-3)  Faith is the certainty of the unseen (Heb. 11:1)  Risk is the context, the physical reality, chance of loss or pain  Prayer brought faith and risk into harmony  Considered prayer (1:4) – accompanied by purposeful activities  Spontaneous prayer (2:4) – from a life of knowing God

Lessons from the story  How do we respond as disciples to distressing national, business or family news or challenges?  The “Where is God in this?” dilemma  Does God care, or want to act?  If so..... should he just act without our prayer?  What is our role in intercession, confession, faith, action?  Types of Prayer - We can’t just jump to the end game  Daily prayer encountering the Lord  Seeking & “wrestling”  Faith is a conclusion, not necessarily a starting point  Action on trust

Timing of Nehemiah’s prayer & outcome  News came in the month Kislev, 20 th year (Ch 1:1)  9 th month of the Jewish Calendar (Nov/Dec)  Wept, mourned, fasted & prayed (Ch 1: 4)  Sought for God’s will, and  Planned for positive answer & accepted opportunity  Outcome - Before the King in the month Nisan (Ch 2:1)  Same 20 th year of King Artaxerxes (2:1)  1 st month of Jewish Calendar (Spring), 3-4 months later

Nehemiah’s prayer diary (Ch. 1: 4-11)  Worship of the dependable God (v. 5)  Seek God’s attention (v.6)  Confess & identify self with the problem – corporate & personal sins (v.7)  Situation was rooted in historical & factual reality of sin & disobedience (v. 7-8)  Holding God to a promise (v. 9)  Visioning the route to God’s honour (v. 10) – compare Ex. 32  Seeking for an answer (v. 11)  Taking action (v.11)

“God’s good hand” on a willing servant  A sense that God’s call would need a mission plan  Trust in God built on results of 1 st steps  Fearful start “O King, live for ever” (Ch 2: 2-3)  King’s astounding answer..... What is it you want? (v 4)  Second answer..... OK, how long will it take? (v 6)  Confident request Letters of passage “Visa”! (v 7)  Next request Wood for construction (v 8)  Also received a cavalry escort! (v 9)

The mission’s success – over 12 years  Confident arrival  Careful survey and faith combined (v 11-12)  Encountered opposition & plots from regional “powers”  Organized local Jewish officials, priests & nobles into the construction project  Completed the city walls in 52 days (Ch 6: 15)  Remained on as governor for 12 years  Restored the spiritual covenant life of the Jews, together with Ezra  Dealt with many problems & social justice issues  Was a leader who “walked the walk”

Conclusion - Steps to service.... for every member in the midst of life  Approachable - Ready to hear & listen, and to be vulnerable  Responsible - challenging situations can lead to opportunity  Prayerful – Seek and ask... reason, promise, vision, steps  Open to calling – A sense of mission... Prepare for it!  Patient - Wait for God’s timing – maybe disappointment or delay is a chance to plan & set markers for God’s confirmation  Confident in trouble – when we know God’s hand upon us  Bold – faith increases with each step, may start falteringly but God gives encouragement along the way