Welcome to Week 16 of the Word Wednesday Challenge! This week, we find ourselves in Nehemiah. Check out the verse that stood out to me as I read this book, then jump down to the comments and share what speaks to you from Nehemiah’s words. Or, if you’re blogging alongside us, leave a link to your blog about Nehemiah below. Ready?
Nehemiah 2:4-5a–The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king.”
Oh, Nehemiah! That response was “perfectly perfect in every way.” I wish I did that more often! I am forever guilty of being a little bit like the Apostle Peter. My mouth opens up and words pour out before my brain has a chance to intervene. And don’t get me started on emails. There are quite a few I’d like to hook through time and reel back in, largely because they made me sound so, uhm, stupid. Ugh.
Nehemiah had come to the king to request permission to rebuild Jerusalem. He’d prayed to God in chapter one and asked for favor in the king’s presence. I believe he already recognized his position as cupbearer to the king had uniquely suited him to make this request. He already knew what he had to do, yet, when the king questioned him, he didn’t open his mouth. I love the fact he makes a point of saying he prayed to God and then he answered.
Thanks for the lesson, my friend. How much better would it be for me–and for those around me–if I took a pause to pray, particularly before I make big, life-altering decisions/comments/suggestions? A much needed reminder, and one I might need to tape to my computer. 🙂
-JB
Dawn Lucowitz says
I’m gonna go with a pretty popular verse for this week’s response. The last part of Nehemiah 8:10 –“ …for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a girls group at Fort Campbell who are studying Jenna Lucado’s book Redefining Beautiful. In the opening we were asked the question What does beautiful mean to you? Think of someone in your life whom you consider beautiful. Why is he or she beautiful to you?
This was such an easy question to me, because one of the most beautiful people I have known is in my life right now. Looking back throughout my entire life, she has so many of the same qualities as the most beautiful people I have had the privilege of knowing.
I started listing lots of qualities of this particular individual…Infectious energy, amazing smile that makes others smile too, light’s up any room she enters, makes me feel good about myself when I’m feeling “cruddy”, and cares more about others than for herself. These were my very initial thoughts.
Ultimately, for this person they boil down to the Joy of the Lord being her strength. Her faith and belief in God; her willingness and ability to share with others in the easiest, non-threatening way I’ve ever seen; the way she can get other’s excited about learning and doing anything, all draw me (and others) to her.
I totally busted on her the other night because someone posted on her facebook wall that she is one of “their most favorite people ever.” Well, it’s easy to see why. When the joy of the Lord bubbles out of someone in such a visible way, it’s hard not to take notice. I pray that in time, the joy I feel will just overflow out of me the way it does for her and that my joy will help bring others to the Lord in the same way.
Jodie says
Shoot, I already thought you were describing yourself, because that’s so you! Love the way you see these things and so enjoy the way God speaks to you and the way you LET him speak to you!!!!!
Jen says
I chose the same verse as Dawn, but included all of it…
Nehemiah 8:10- Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
To me, this is another one of those “secret to life” verses. Reading it just now, I had to think of our beloved Adrien. 🙂 Throughout the entire book, he’s trying to convince Claire that life is meant to be lived. There’s no need to grieve the things we’ve lost because TODAY is sacred in God’s eyes, and He meant for us to both enjoy it and USE it (in this case, to have compassion for those less fortunate).
An added bonus? It seems to me like permission to indulge in something delicious without the guilt!
Jodie says
As if any of us need permission… Love that we serve a God who believes in celebration! It’s sad so many of us walk around and act like it’s God’s mandate that we frown all of the time. How awesome is He?
Jen says
Meant to tack this on to my original comment, but can we wait and save Psalms for the very end of this challenge thing? The thought of having to pick a favorite three weeks from now is totally intimidating me!!!!! LOL