Men of God,
Brothers it is truly with joy that I write to you today. I gain strength and joy from reading the encouraging and challenging words here. You encourage me to stay in God's Word. You encourage me to continue living the life that honors God. I pray, too, that my words are used by God to challenge and uplift each of you. As I begin to read through Nehemiah in preparation for the study starting next week, I keep finding passages that grab me. Sunday afternoon I was struck by 1:10-11. "And they are Thy servants and Thy people whom Thou didst redeem by Thy great power and by Thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech Thee, may Thine ear be attentive the prayer of Thy servant and the prayer of Thy servants who delight to revere Thy name…"
I know this passage was written by a Hebrew man, referencing the Hebrew people, His chosen people. But we too, the followers of God, the Men of God, are chosen and loved. And did He not redeem us by His great power and strong hand? How else would you describe the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
I want to be counted among those called "his servants." I want my actions and my words to cause others to know that I am a follower of God.
Sometimes I let Satan trick me into thinking I should not ask so much of God. Not really so much about physical, worldly things- it's obvious that I shouldn't ask for those things all the time. Sometimes I feel I should not ask so much for peace and prosperity and holiness and …. just so many things that I ask Him for. But look at this verse, "I beseech Thee, may Thine ear be attentive." It is okay to ask from God. We are encouraged by Nehemiah's example to bring our petitions before God. He wants to hear our requests. Don't let Satan fool you too. You are not bothering or pestering God.
Another verse that grabbed me was 2:18, the first part. "And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me….." The simplicity of that hit me. So many times God has been "favorable" to me. How often do I tell others how the hand of God has been gracious to me? Has God not indeed been merciful and loving and bountiful to us all? How dare we not tell others about "how the hand of my God has been favorable to me."
Go do that today. Tell someone, tell two or three someones how God's hand has been favorable to you.
Be encouraged and lead.
Philip Buford
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