The Progress Surrounding Nehemiah's Preparation: Proceeding for Wonderful Glory

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:9-11

Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel. So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days.

Insights: Verse nine is one of my favorite verses in this chapter.  The reason is because God does something beyond Nehemiah’s expectations.  I believe God loves doing this to His children, but unfortunately we often times have a blind eye to God’s glory.  He is what I mean:  Nehemiah prepared and knew he needed letters to get through the provinces and to get lumber.  Nowhere, however, did Nehemiah ask for an army and horsemen.  In fact the verse states, “NOW THE KING had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.”  This gesture of the king takes us back to Monday’s proverb.  Artaxerxes was a like a channel of water in God’s hand and He directed him however He wished.  He blew Nehemiah’s mind with this extra blessing of receiving an army escort.  Oh Beloved, are we ready for such a blessing?  We do, however, need to keep looking through these verses.  Another truth I want you to understand is that when we are walking obediently with God, there is going to be opposition.  In verse ten we are introduced to Sanballat and Tobiah.  These two men are going to be throughout this book and in every mention of them; they are planning evil against the people of Jerusalem.  They were displeased that someone was coming to help the children of God.  One last thought, in verse eleven it mentions that Nehemiah was in Jerusalem three days.  The Bible does not tell us what Nehemiah was doing during those three days, but I think I know what he was doing.  I bet you know what he was doing as well. Every time we turn a page, Nehemiah was praying to God for something.  Now that he has actually arrived in Jerusalem, he is back on his knees asking God to continue to give him guidance.  What an amazing history of God’s love and glory!!!

Questions:

1. What wonderful thing has God done lately in your life that blew you away?
2. What opposition has presented itself to you as you have sought to obey God?

Prayer: Father, You truly do amaze me and keep me at awe of Your wonderful love and glory.  In our southern vernacular You show out on a daily basis.  Grant me the eyes to see and recognize Your majestic hand at work in my life.  Amen.