Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Nehemiah 2:1-4
2:1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. (ESV)
by Jean Jorgensen
Nehemiah laid out a problem-solving strategy still used today: clearly identify the problem, consider all options, plan, act, and evaluate. Often, we tackle a problem without clearly identifying the core problem. We then become entrapped in the solving process and lose focus. Nehemiah’s solution was to encircle each step with prayer to God. The problem with building the walls was more than just cleaning up the mess and offering some protection. Rebuilding the walls could restore their dignity, respect, and protection as God’s chosen people. It would demonstrate that God was still their only God. Encircle your projects with prayer and watch God demonstrate his power.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2010, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.
