TEXT:
‘O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer’ (Nehemiah 1:11).
It’s very easy to say, “I know there’s a problem, but what can I do?” A more positive response changes the emphasis slightly to, ‘What can I do?” As we head into 2024, the challenge is, “Who or what will I influence for good during the year?” The example of Nehemiah is an inspiration to us all. Today’s Teaching highlights four things that will help us to be more effective.
1. We can’t change everything, but we can change something
This is why the Bible says, ‘Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them’ (Romans 12:6 AMPC). We will not respond in the same way because we are all different, but we can all respond to something.
World news can overwhelm us, but it can also inspire us. The report about Jerusalem greatly distressed Nehemiah, but it also set him praying. He thought, “I am in a position of influence; help me, Lord, to take advantage of it!” All of us are in a position of influence concerning someone or something and we need to make the most of it.
Covid 19 devastated businesses everywhere, but a decision to help needy people in Rwanda re-start businesses to provide for their families has grown from just a few Start-Up loans to 50 in a relatively short space of time. This has radically changed the well-being of hundreds of people, enabling children to get back into education, which has also helped the viability of schools and teachers as well as boosting the local economy, thus improving living standards.
Nehemiah prayed to God about the dire situation in Jerusalem. The Babylonian exodus to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple started out in a fanfare, but subsequently those who had returned were reduced to eking out a miserable existence. The thought came up in his heart that he could do something to help change the situation.
Bill Clinton’s book entitled, “Giving – how each of us can change the world” is full of amazing stories of ordinary people as well as multi-millionaires, starting projects that have changed millions of lives for the better. Some projects started off so small but grew into large charities because they became successful at meeting the need. Read the book – you won’t fail to be impressed and inspired.
2. If people have helped once, they are likely to help again and again
So many charities continue to thrive, even in economic downturns, not because of large one-off donations, but due to the faithful commitment of small, regular givers. Those who give just a few pounds each month, every month.
The Bible records that ungodly Medo-Persian kings helped fund the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem and the city itself. Amazingly they were influenced by the God of heaven – the one true God of the Jews.
I’m sure this inspired Nehemiah to feel able to petition the king. Don’t let the negative thought of, “Oh they won’t want to help again” stop you from asking. People can always say, “No” but they can also say, “Yes!” Much to Nehemiah’s amazement, the king said, “Yes” and gave him a blank cheque for rebuilding the gates and walls of Jerusalem and a house for himself.
3. When you are praying for an opportunity to do something, it can quickly arise
Nehemiah prayed in the month of Chislev which is the ninth month, equivalent to November/December. Interestingly, Chislev is sometimes known as the month of dreams. Perhaps this is why we plan our New Year Resolutions!
It was in the month of Nisan, the first month of the year, when Nehemiah was confronted by the king about his sadness and asked for permission to go to Jerusalem. So just three months or so separated his prayer to God and the opportunity to ask the king.
When the desire for us to share our faith is uppermost in our hearts, it won’t be long before God starts bringing people across our paths who want to hear about Jesus. It’s easy to forget the prayers that we have prayed if there’s a delay, but when they are in line with the will of God, God will bring them to pass.
When God asked, ‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us?’ (Isaiah 6:8), Isaiah replied, ‘Here am I, send me’. Almost immediately God responded, “Go!”
4. What you can do to determine the things God wants you to be involved in
1. When a situation upsets or concerns you, start praying and ask God if there is something He would like you to do to help change it.
2. Don’t worry about starting off small. Remember the parable Jesus taught about the mustard seed (See Matthew 13:31-32).
3. When the opportunity to do something arises, be courageous and act. So many are amazed at how far-reaching their small step of faith has taken them. If you need help, God will ensure people will come to you.
Determine that 2024 will be a year of significance, not just for you, but through you for the benefit of others. ‘You have come to the kingdom for such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14).
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