We may not recognize things all the time, and we may tend to gloss over the hand of God providing, leading, and protecting but it’s there. How great it is when we behold His work, especially when there is absolutely no other way to explain things than to say, “this was the hand of God.”
Nehemiah 6:15–16 (ESV) — 15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
The book of Nehemiah is a great account of the work of God and the dependency of Nehemiah. The book begins when Nehemiah, who was the cupbearer for the king in Persia, heard about the devastation in Jerusalem. Before he did anything, he prayed.
Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV) — 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
After spending time in confession of sin, Nehemiah turned to God for the solution, particularly to have favor from the king so he could go to Jerusalem and begin the project of rebuilding. Notice his attitude of dependency.
Nehemiah 1:10–11 (ESV) — 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Obviously, Nehemiah had a great relationship with the king, after all he stood between the king and anyone who would try to poison him but also Nehemiah had great respect for the one in authority which was seen in his response. There is no sign of manipulation and uncertainty. In fact, Nehemiah relied upon God for help even in making his requests to the king.
Nehemiah 2:4–5 (ESV) — 4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”
The key to Nehemiah is his prayer life. Nothing was too small or too big to keep him from seeking God. Even in the tight situation of being in the presence of the king and the king asking what he needed, Nehemiah prayed. Granted, it was a quick “microwave” prayer in the tightness of the moment, but it was real, it was dependent, and it was in faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) — 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
It should also be noted to those whose prayer life consists of microwave prayers that Nehemiah relied upon his time with God in what could be labeled “crock pot” or “slow cooker” prayers. Those are prayers that develop a sweet savor as you take your time in the presence of God, adoring Him, confessing your sin, admitting your dependency upon Him, expressing your concerns, and capping the time with words of trust and confidence in God to do what is right.
Nehemiah found favor in the eyes of the king. The king provided many things for Nehemiah along the way, but Nehemiah entered the project with a great deal of wisdom in the way he conducted himself. Before he met with people to coordinate the effort, he spent time assessing the situation and then presented a plan. Of course, that wisdom flowed from his time spent with God. When opposition arose against the project, Nehemiah by God’s direction devised a plan of protection as they continued the rebuilding project. Finally the project was complete and there was only one thing to say, “this was the work of God.”
When a person depends upon the Lord, there is no place for pride. In fact, just the opposite. When a person depends upon the Lord and God provides, the heart wants to honor the Lord, and honoring the Lord brings even more blessings from Him.
Proverbs 3:5–10 (ESV) — 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Do you want to behold the work of God in your life? It begins in living in dependency upon the Lord and not yourself. Jesus made it very clear.
John 15:5 (ESV) — 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Expressing dependency is more than an occasional microwave prayer of, “Lord, help me,” although we all have those moments of calling upon the Lord in tight situations, but true dependency is spending time with God, seeking His will, expressing your depending upon Him and relying upon His grace.
Consider the promise that God has made in inviting us to come to Him through our mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
This too, is the work of God.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL



