From Rubble to RestorationSample

Taking Your Problems to God

Rebuilding from the rubble.  That’s a core message from the book of Nehemiah.  The city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians around 586 B.C. The Jewish people who survived were taken captive to Babylon.  More than 140 years later, the city’s walls remained in shambles until God pricked the heart of one man, Nehemiah.  

Has something happened in your life that left you picking up the pieces?  Was it a cancer diagnosis?  A divorce?  The death of a loved one?  People handle their problems in many different ways.  Some ignore.  Some get depressed.  Some get angry.  And some seek God.  That’s what Nehemiah did.

God placed Nehemiah in a unique position.  He was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Although he worked in the king’s court, his mind was on the affairs of his Jewish homeland.  He heard that Jerusalem’s wall was broken down and its gates had been burned.  He wanted to do something, so he prayed to God.

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. 

Nehemiah 1: 5 – 6

See how Nehemiah tackled his problem?  He knew that he could do nothing without God fighting his battles for him.  He needed God, so he prayed and fasted as a means of drawing close to His Heavenly Father to seek His help.  

Nehemiah also had a very big request of his boss, the King of Persia.  He needed an extended leave of absence from work so he could take on this building project. Since he wasn’t asking a Jewish king but a Persian, it would only be by the Lord’s favor if his request was granted.

Nehemiah’s prayer is a great example of how to pray when we have a problem:

·  Praise God and recall His great characteristics

·  Confess your sins

·  Remind Him of His Word and promises

·  Ask big things! 

Questions:

1.  When you have a challenge, how do you typically handle it?  

2.  What can you learn from Nehemiah’s example as he tackled his problem?

3.  Is there any difficulty too big or small in your life that God can’t help?