series: Receiving God’s Light #
verse: Nehemiah 6:16 #
Introduction: #
PJ is a credit card enthusiast. And with his CSR card, he really likes the $150 dining credit at upscale restaurants. But they had decision fatigue. They spent so much time trying to figure out what restaurant to visit. They ended up at “Sister’s” and enjoyed the food. But the problem with this was, he and his wife were trying to optimize their choice to be the absolute best. It’s human tendency to place value on making the right decisions because that will maximize our happiness, and also minimize our disappointment. But no matter how much research we do, there is always a level of uncertainty.
Context of the Verse #
Nehemiah is a cup bearer, and as a Jew, this is a pretty significant role. But in his prosperity, he had a big decision to make: whether to stay in Persia, or go to Jerusalem to do the work of God. But this wasn’t a simple decision of moving, it was a choice of comfort, or trusting in God’s presence.
Main Idea: #
What does the world consider the right call? #
The world’s right call is whatever protects the self most. Nehemiah was a cup bearer, and this is a really important and trusted role. It was a lucrative position, and that meant that Nehemiah had influence, wealth, and some power. But when Nehemiah heard about the news about the temple and its destruction, he becomes disrupted. He feels compassion and sorrow for his people. And he feels called to go to Jerusalem. But he doesn’t enact on this for four entire months. He struggles with it internally because he’s so comfortable with where he is. And he spends time praying, fasting, trying to discern what is the correct decision.
Self protection in the worldly sense feels “Mature” and “safe” because it’s what many people consider the sensible thing to do. It keeps you away from danger and prioritizes yourself. It
Why were Nehemiah’s decisions the right calls? #
The King eventually asks Nehemiah why he’s so burdened. And it was in that moment where he opens up to the King about his dilmena. Nehemiah’s decisions caused fear to lose its control. The fears he experienced had no more control over him.
How much can we relate to this? We fear taking risks, we fear making grand decisions because, “What if it’s the wrong decision?”. But in the verse, we see God continuously encouraging Nehemiah and being with him through all of the uncertainty. To the point of which fear was completely removed. God is present among his people. And while doing God’s work, we can lay witness to the fruit of our trust, and show onto others the power of obedience to the Lord. We don’t build walls anymore today. And that’s not where God’s presence is anymore. We are a manifestation of God’s presence today, the people of God. While we’re not building walls, we are participating in building lives. God has called us to participate in the rebuilding of lives with the presence of God. Our lives are restored and connected according to His promise. We can experience the power of God through healing and growing together.
How can we make the right call today? #
Recognize God’s fingerprint over our lives It’s recognizing that God has been present in our lives since the beginning. He recognized that it was through God, that he was able to live a prosperous life as a cup bearer. God’s faithfulness in the past is what encouraged him to make the calls that lead him closer to God in the present.
Long before the rebuilding of the wall, God had intentionally planned out a purpose for Nehemiah. And similarly, the reason why we are sitting here in this congregation is for God’s greater purpose. We were called here purposefully and we are known by God. So as we sit here, look back on your life. Look at the history, the victories, the struggle. Everything was planned out by God. So give thanks for where you are, and trust in where God is going to put you in the future.
So let’s make the right calls. Let’s center our lives upon rebuilding each other. Think about why you’re here today. Think about where God is placing you next. Recognize that God’s fingerprints are all over your life.