In Pastor Charles Stanley's message on prayer, he traces the life and accomplishments of Nehemiah. He holds him up as an example for all the people of God to follow. This godly man of prayer and action led the Israelites to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem in only 52 days. The people made him the governor of Jerusalem, and he led admirably. The key to Nehemiah's success was his total dependence on God. Throughout his life, especially in times of adversity, he prayed. Prayer was not his last option but his first. In this last devotion this week on the prayer life and leadership of Nehemiah, I will share more of Stanley's teachings with you... but let me warn you. He gets personal and intense! Do not keep reading unless you want to be challenged by God and also very blessed through the teaching of the Word of God.
God gives a prayer burden, a heaviness from heaven to get our attention. Nehemiah confessed his sins, his family's sins, and the sins of the nation of Israel. We cannot cherish sin in our lives; we must repent and give it up. You cannot get your prayers answered while holding onto things which are sinful in the eyes of God. Purity of heart and the power of God are linked. He can use weak but not dirty vessels. Deal with the sin right away. When God tells you to do something, He knows what you will face. He knows everything and will not ask you to do it without the power to do it. God does not make mistakes. It is not a sin to feel inadequate; we could never do it in our strength. He knows us perfectly. If we doubt and think about saying no, then we are implying God made a mistake and He doesn't know us. Totally absurd. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us. God allows us to feel inadequate, and it drives us to Himself. (I warned you that this is some intense teaching from Pastor Stanley!)
Why did the people follow Nehemiah, a cupbearer, a slave, now sent to do something he could not do? God was with him! Be willing to be available for God to use you. If you are fearful that you will make mistakes, then you will never do anything. I was listening to a podcast recently where former Green Beret Ryan Hendrickson was being interviewed. He said we must be willing to step out and do hard things. When we are vulnerable, we are at our strongest and will do our best work. To become an old man or woman filled with regrets is a sad way to live your later years.
Each time Nehemiah needed help, he prayed. God answered him, and God showed him the way. God loves us the same when it comes to showing us what His will is for our lives. We have the privilege of experiencing divine enabling through the power of the Holy Spirit. Nehemiah felt all this and experienced the power of God. Live in the power of how God sees you. We stand the tallest and get the most power to face everything when we are on our knees. There is no plan better than this. Get on your knees, ask forgiveness for your sins, and acknowledge that He is holy and can do anything.
All that Nehemiah accomplished was not because of his education or prior experiences. The answer to his amazing life and successes was his relationship with God and how he prayed! He kept his heart clean, knew he was inadequate, was available, got God's vision, and this enabled him to do what God called him to do.
As I continue to pray and move forward with what I feel God is leading me to do, the Lord is so kind to keep encouraging me along the way. A couple weeks back, I woke up at 4:30 a.m., turned on the TV, and Dr. David Jeremiah was preaching. He said that whenever God has a big thing for you to do, it will not be easy, but do it anyway. He referenced this verse and it really spoke to my heart:
"And David said to his son Solomon, 'Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.'" (
1 Chronicles 28:20)
Have a blessed weekend. If we can pray for you for any request, please send your prayer request to
pray@dfea.com.
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