“And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”
20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”” Nehemiah 2:16-20 NKJV
God of heaven and earth,
Nehemiah checked out the situation for himself. He did not want to misunderstand the situation trying to see it through others eyes. He just needed to know what had happened and where things were at present. How wise because we al see things slightly differently. Then we see how he deals with the same opposition that has stopped them in the past. He speaks with clarity, authority and not threateningly. He has placed his trust in Your call to rebuild. This was not the idea of man.
How good it is when we hear Your call to pray, to stand up for our faith or to rebuild or build something new. The difference between a good idea and a God idea. It gives Nehemiah all the confidence to encourage every one else. And they hear it in him and respond. Chapter 3 begins immediately with the sheep gate being built and the doors hung.
Help us to pray and hear as Nehemiah did so we can learn where to go, what to do, who to involve and how to do it. We are building the Kingdom, Your Kingdom together.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Saturday 19th September 2026
I had this at the end of August but I kept just remembering the first line of the chorus and no more. So here it is again reminding me to stop and listen in those precious moments I need clarity.
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty
To be still and know, that you’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
Word of God speak
I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
Chorus
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty
To be still and know, that you’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
Lyrics: Bart Millard, Pete Kipley, Peter C. Kipley (Mercy Me)