God provides for the assignments He gives
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | October 26, 2023 | Nehemiah 2:6-10
KEY VERSE:
And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me. Nehemiah 2:8b (NKJV)
MESSAGE:
In our previous devotions, we explored how God graciously bestowed favour upon Nehemiah in the presence of a respected and revered king, a response to the heartfelt prayer he offered. Overwhelmed by the burden for the welfare of God's people and the crumbling state of His house, Nehemiah's deep emotions were vividly etched on his countenance which did not go unnoticed by the king. A door of opportunity was opened which snowballed into God’s favour finding expression in that situation.
Nehemiah never left the God of heaven out of the discourse but always consulted him before answering the king when he was asked to make a request. This indeed points to the fact that the burden on his heart and the desire to go back to Jerusalem to repair the ruins and take care of God’s people was not an assignment he decided to do on his own accord, but it was God who was orchestrating it. For it is He (God) who is working in us, both to will and to do unto his good pleasure (Phil 2:13). It was God who sent Nehemiah on that assignment, and he made sure he did not lack what he needed to execute it. But Nehemiah had to hear from God through prayer and align with his will in obedience, to be able to attract the provision of God for that assignment.
God provided favour which attracted the supplies needed for the journey and the assignment at hand. Letters were given for safety through the regions, and provision of the materials needed for rebuilding the burnt gates of Jerusalem. Troops of soldiers and horsemen accompanied Nehemiah as escorts from the king, throughout the journey back to Jerusalem. What a God!
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE
When God sends you on an assignment, He provides what you need including the grace to complete that assignment. Your responsibility is to find His will for that assignment and align yourself with His will through prayer. His supply and provision will find you along the way. TELL YOURSELF JEHOVAH JIREH WILL PROVIDE.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, I acknowledge you are the one who will supply all my needs. Help me to know my assignment and work at it with all diligence. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: GRANTED In Nehemiah 2:8, the term "granted" is translated from the Hebrew word: "וַיִּתְּנֵם" (vayitten), derived from the root word "נָתַן" (nathan), meaning to give or grant. The root word "נָתַן" (nathan) is rich in meaning, signifying not just a simple giving but a purposeful granting. It implies a conscious decision to bestow or provide.
In the Bible, the word is used to signify :
Divine Influence: The term is used to convey the idea of God's influence on the king's decision to grant Nehemiah's requests. Nehemiah attributes the king's favour to the benevolent hand of God.
In the context of Nehemiah 2: 8, the usage of the word granted reveals the following truths:
Divine Favor: The use of "granted" highlights the acknowledgement of divine favour. It goes beyond a mere human decision and underscores the belief that God's providential hand influenced the king to give his approval.
Aligned with God's Will: Nehemiah's request was not arbitrary but aligned with God's plan. The granting of the request is a testament to the alignment of Nehemiah's desires with God's purpose for the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Acknowledgement of Providence: By employing the term "granted," Nehemiah acknowledges the providential hand of God in the affairs of humans. It communicates a recognition that even the decisions of kings are subject to the divine will.
Human Cooperation: While acknowledging God's influence, Nehemiah's approach involves human cooperation. The king, though influenced by God, exercised his own will in granting the request.
Purposeful Giving: The Hebrew root "נָתַן" (nathan) implies more than casual giving; it suggests a purposeful bestowing. The use of "granted" conveys the intentionality behind the king's decision.
Faith in Action: Nehemiah's approach to seeking the king's support reflects a combination of faith and action. The use of "granted" underscores the practical outworking of Nehemiah's trust in God.
Reflections
How can we, like Nehemiah, seek to align our desires and requests with God's will, recognizing that divine favour is not just about what we ask for but about being in harmony with God's purpose?
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