It was the favor of God that was allowing Nehemiah to be used by God in a great and mighty way.
‘And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”’ Nehemiah 2:5
The King gave Nehemiah what he asked for and then some.
‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ‘ Ephesians 3:20
Nehemiah was experiencing power of the human effort and the divine power working hand in hand. God’s Favor will often upset people. Opposition and Opportunity often come hand and hand. Don’t ever allow opposition cause you to miss God’s great opportunities!
Insights on opposition:
- It can come from within. (Fear/Doubt)
- It can come from without. (Like these coming against Nehemiah)
- It can come from those close to you. (Family- Friends–Staff, etc.)
We have to learn to ask God for discernment—Is opposition God’s way of warning me to stop or Satan’s way of trying to defeat and stop God’s work?
‘From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”’ Matthew 16:21-23
‘Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”’ Job 2:9
‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ Proverbs 27:6
Great Godly vision can be nothing more than a vision if we don’t learn when, where, and how to share it.
‘A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;’ Ecclesiastes 3:7
The reason God gives us favor is to build our faith and the faith of others. God’s favorites are shown favor to build faith.
