Throughout our sermon series, I Was Made for This, we have been encouraged by Nehemiah’s example to pray for the opportunity to do something about the divine burden that God has given us. After all, He gives us burdens for a reason: to act on them and do something about the problems we see that break our hearts. Yesterday, we talked about waiting on God’s perfect timing. Today in our study, we are going to talk about the call to respond when God provides the opportunity for us to act on the divine burdens that He has given us.
God gave Nehemiah the opportunity that he had prayed for to act on His divine burden in Nehemiah 2. When Nehemiah learned in Nehemiah 1 that the walls of Jerusalem had been torn down, he was deeply grieved. He wept and prayed over the city’s fate. During this time, he was serving as the king’s cupbearer. We learn in Nehemiah 2 that even 4 months later, Nehemiah was still distraught over the state of Jerusalem’s wall. He was so distraught that even the king could tell something was wrong. Nehemiah wrote in this chapter, “Early the following spring…I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence” (verses 1-2). Nehemiah was so distraught and upset that his distress was visible just by looking at him. The king asked Nehemiah, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled” (verse 2). This was Nehemiah’s moment. This was the moment that God gave Nehemiah to do something about his burden. When the opportunity came, he chose to act on his burden, responding to the king’s question by saying, “How can I not be sad. For the city where my ancestors are buried are in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire” (verse 3). After four months of mourning and praying, God gave Nehemiah an opportunity to act on his divine burden, and he recognized it. He shared His burden with the king.
Nehemiah's story of asking God for the opportunity to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem serves as an example for us. First, we pray and wait for God's timing. When God makes it clear that it is time to act on the burdens that He has given us, it is time to act. We must follow in Nehemiah's footsteps and act when God presents the opportunity to do something about the burdens that God has placed on our hearts.
By now, hopefully you recognize the divine burden that God has placed on your heart. This burden is a need or a problem you see in this world that you just cannot shake. Hopefully, you have also chosen to trust God’s perfect timing. Today, your call is to be on the lookout for opportunities that God gives you to act on the divine burden He has given you. Don’t forget to pray and ask Him to help you as you seek to do this.
1Early 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. 2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”
Then I was terrified, 3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
4 The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”
With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”
