The Door of Opportunity

O. T. #1039  "The Door of Opportunity"
August 10, 2017
Nehemiah 2
Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.  Romans 4:20-21 

LET IT GLOW

Are we waiting for the door of opportunity to open for us? How long are we willing to wait and pray? Do we know what God has planned for us, but it isn't time yet? Do we get weary waiting? God doesn't leave us. Look at the key verse. Abraham walked by faith. He was assured that God would do what He said He would do. Yes, God gave him a son an  Promised Land in which his family lived.  God is with us every step and so He was with Nehemiah during his waiting period.

Four months passed and nothing happened, except Nehemiah had prayed and fasted seeking God's guidance after hearing about Jerusalem's walls broken and gates burnt. Such news devastated him. He kept waiting, trusting, and counting on God to move heart of his superior.

 Well, Nehemiah continued his duties serving the king his wine. Nehemiah had never before appeared sad in his presence. To be in the presence of a monarch with an attitude other than positive and uplifting would be dangerous. The king could suspect a plot of assassination, so Nehemiah was risking his life appearing unhappy before the king. Negative emotions could result in the king's wrath.

Then the king noticed something different about Nehemiah, sympathy arose in him. (Hadn't they been together for years? Wasn't Nehemiah a faithful servant, even in a foreign land?)

The king asked, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? You must be deeply troubled.

Although Nehemiah was terrified, he told King Artaxerxes the truth. He shared what was on his heart. "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," Nehemiah relied.

The king asked how he could help Nehemiah. What did Nehemiah want to do to remedy this situation? He had waited and prayed for God's direction. Nehemiah was available to meet the need himself. The door of opportunity came open. Will Nehemiah be overcome with fear or will he overcome fear with faith?


LET IT GROW

What was the first thing Nehemiah did when the door of opportunity was opened? He prayed to the God of heaven. No time for long prayers now. A quick, spontaneous prayer was all he could  muster up. Eight times in this book we read of Nehemiah praying spontaneously. He knew God always heard and answered prayers. Emergency prayers must be preceded by in-depth prayers as we cultivate a strong relationship with God.
This cupbearer had a heart for God, even while living in Susa, the capital of the Media-Persian empire.

Are you ready, friend, to be a part of a solution, to walk through the door of opportunity when it open up for you? Are you prayed up? Do you have a plan when it is time? Will you walk by faith as God directs?

LET IT GO

Pour out my heart before a compassionate God.

Listen for His will and instructions.

Be ready o walk by faith through it when the door of opportunity opens.