When all hope seems gone, there is HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS. HOPELESSNESS is not a stranger to many. Driven by sadness, loss, loneliness, the holidays, frustration, anxiety, doubt, fear, guilt, abuse, neglect and more. HOPELESSNESS can be the individual’s plight, those closes to our hearts, the community, nation and world issues.
Question: Can you and I identify and count our blessings like health could be worst, but I’m managing and/or food costs are high, but I have not missed a meal? There are many horrible situations beyond yours’ and my imagination.
I was in a mood of doubt and needed some consolation. Can’t remember if I prayed but, I picked up my Bible to work on Nehemiah for this Inspirational blog. I did not want to do “Watch, Fight and Pray” even though Nehemiah has given us great pathways to overcome problems with our enemies and ego-tripping blood relatives. So I read the first Chapter and what a consolation for me, HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS. Look at how God came to my rescue. He did it for me. I’m sure He has done it for you.
Let’s keep believing and trusting. “There is none like God,” an understatement of His greatness. Psalm 113:3-5 “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwells on high, From the rising of the Sun from the East to the West.”
First who was Nehemiah? A common person like most of us. He was part of the Judah clan. So Nehemiah, Judah and most of those living in Jerusalem were taken into captivity for their sins and rebellion against God. Despite God’s longsuffering, He gave them and continues giving us chance after chance. Yet we are encourage in Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Now Nehemiah was also king Artaxerxes’ cupbearer. His job was to taste the king’s wine before giving it to him. What a job…all intentionally since God had a plan of deliverance for His people.
Nehemiah STEPS are a ROADMAP for you and me. On this particular day 1:2-3 Nehemiah was visited by his brethren and certain men of Judah. In this situation what seems HOPELESS impacted Nehemiah’s loved ones and Jerusalem, a heart for others. Like Nehemiah we ought to care about others in devastating situations.
(Step 1) Despite living in the palace serving the king, Nehemiah still cared about his loved ones. He asked about the Jews that had escaped captivity and the state of Jerusalem. They were reported to be in great affliction; and reproach during the biblical days were expressions of disapproval, disappointment, or criticism. It often involved shame or disgrace brought upon an individual or group due to their circumstances. Read Nehemiah to increase understanding of how they were treated. Today most folks would have declared their country to be “A Disaster” in need of medical aide, food, housing and more. Different organizations and crisis intervention teams would have went to their rescue.
Nehemiah’s response verse 4 (Step 2) Seemingly alone except for in the presence of God. He sat down, wept, mourned (expressions of grief) for days, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Help for the seemingly HOPELESS situation. A pattern for us to follow.
Nehemiah’s prayer 1:5-11 (Step 3) You can use common day language and tailor this prayer to your needs and/or the situation. “And said, I beseech (plead/ask) thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keeps covenant (promises) and mercy for them that love Him and observes His commandments:
6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open (see me LORD-see the situation LORD), that thou may hear the prayer of me your son/daughter, which I pray before thee now, day and night, (say who are you praying for) the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned (sins everyone made against the Father).
7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commanded us.
8 Prayer should relate to today (Interchange this prayer to transgressions committed today and can add God’s relevant promises. Remember, I beseech thee, the Word that thou commanded thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. (God’s promises of obedience).
10 Now (We are Your people LORD, that have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Thank You LORD. Recognize God’s power and glory.
11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to my prayer your son/daughter and all those called by Your name, who reverence You: and prosper, I pray thee, your son/daughter this day, and grant me mercy in the sight of (say who or what is the obstacle?) In this case Nehemiah was seeking favor of the king. He acknowledged himself as the king’s cupbearer (You can acknowledged God as _____ (the thought come to mind is “It’s just me LORD). Yall know how to pray. A sample of a break though prayer.
Read Chapter four. Nehemiah didn’t say anything to the king about his reasons for heavy heartedness— sadness and distress. The king noticed Nehemiah’s sad disposition, asked him what was wrong, granted his request and supported his needs for the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.
It is our prayer and thanks LORD that HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS continues to counteract HOPELESSNESS. We continue to weep before You, seek Your face, mourn, fast and pray. Then we trust, believe and know without a doubt that You hear and answers our prayers in Jesus’ name! Happy New Year, continue blessings and love you! Neatbooks4u.
