Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. Nehemiah 2:1
This week in our Bible study together, we are continuing our series, “I Was Made for This,” where we are studying the prophet Nehemiah and how he responded to his divine burden that God gave him. Last week, we studied the first chapter of Nehemiah, where we learned that Nehemiah was serving as the cupbearer to the king of Persia when God placed a divine burden on his heart. He learned that the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. Now, he was living a good life in Persia, serving the king. Based on his position, we can assume he was living a life of status and comfort. When he heard about the walls of Jerusalem, he could have thought, “That’s too bad,” and continued on with life as he knew it. Instead, he was deeply moved. He recognized that God had given him this burden, and he prayed for an opportunity to do something about that burden. Then, he waited for God to provide that opportunity. As he waited, he mourned.
Our Bible study today picks up in Nehemiah 2. At this point in his story, Nehemiah had felt burdened by the lack of walls in Jerusalem, and he prayed and wept over the city. We read in Nehemiah 1:1 that Nehemiah learned about the plight of Jerusalem during the month of Kislev. Now in chapter 2, it is the month of Nisan, according to this passage of Scripture (verse 1). We learned during the weekend message that Kislev is the month of December and Nisan is the month of April. For 4 months, Nehemiah waited on God’s timing. He did not rush ahead of God’s plan. He waited for God to provide the opportunity that he prayed for. What an example of faith and patience that he set for us!
As Nehemiah waited for God to provide an opportunity to act on his divine burden, he learned that God’s timing can be trusted, even in seasons of waiting. Another passage of Scripture where we learn about God's perfect timing is Isaiah 55. In this passage of Scripture, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord, ‘And my ways are beyond anything you could imagine’” (verse 8). God’s plans, according to this verse, are vastly different from our own. We see the small picture. We see only what is in front of us. God sees the whole picture. His plans are not only different from ours. They are better. They are “beyond anything [we] could imagine.” As a result, we can trust Him and His timing.
When it comes to the divine burden God has placed on your life, are you in a season of waiting for the opportunity to act on the divine that God has given you? Do not be discouraged. His timing and His plans are different, and greater, than our own. They are also far better than ours. Trust in His perfect timing today.
Take a few moments to pray about the divine burden God has placed on your heart. Pray, once again, for the opportunity to do something about that burden. Then, acknowledge that His plans and His timing are far greater than your own. Commit to trusting His timing when it comes to your divine burden, and ask Him to give you continued confidence and courage as you wait.
Isaiah 55:1-13
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! 2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.
3 “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. 4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. 5 You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. 12 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! 13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
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