OUR WILLINGNESS TO SAY YES (TO BOLDLY GO) BRINGS ABOUT GOD'S PROMISE OF PROVISION.
DEEP BURDENNehemiah 1:1-4 - During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down. 4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
BOLD REQUESTNehemiah 2:21-5, 7-8 - During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why are you sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but depression.” I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” 7 I also said to the king: “If it pleases the king, …grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. 8 …give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests, for I was graciously strengthened by my God.
THE BURDEN GOD PLACED ON NEHEMIAH’S HEART WAS GREATER THAN HIS FEAR OF MAN.
NEHEMIAH MADE BOLD SACRIFICES IN ORDER TO STEP INTO THE BURDEN.
GOSPEL MOMENTUM REQUIRES BOLD MOVES, BOLD REQUESTS & BOLD SACRIFICES.
Nehemiah 2:17-20 - Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”18 …They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged to do this good work. 20…“The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start building.
