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\u201cAnd because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests\u201d (Nehemiah 2:8).

There is much to like and learn in the opening story of Nehemiah 2. We should pay attention to the things it says about God. Perhaps most obviously, it demonstrates God\u2019s power: that he is the King over all other kings. King Artaxerxes was the most powerful king of the day in the ancient Near East. But we see that God stands above him. The decisions he makes fulfil God\u2019s plans and purposes.

We like to sing about this. \u201cWho has held the oceans in His hand, Who has numbered every grain of sand, Kings and nations tremble at His voice\u201d (Behold our God) or \u201cGentiles and Jews his laws obey. All lands and nations offerings bring and, unconstrained, their homage pay to their exalted God and King\u201d (Shout, for the blessed Jesus Reigns). These lyrics are derived from such stories.

The passage also illustrates God\u2019s presence with his people in the midst of the turbulence of life. When Nehemiah perceived that he might be in danger, his emotions and his adrenaline were running high. As Pastor Anthony said yesterday, the king could see his distress and that was dangerous. God was aware of Nehemiah\u2019s situation and responded. Here we have a close up visual of what Jesus meant when he said, \u201cI am with you to the very end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:20).

We should also pay attention to Nehemiah\u2019s commitment to God\u2019s plan. He understood what God was doing and his response in the middle of this crisis showed his dedication to it. He trusted that God would bring it about. Likewise, we need to think carefully about God\u2019s revealed plans for the world and what he wants to accomplish in it. When we are making plans for our own lives, we ought to begin by leaning into God\u2019s purposes so that we can be personally involved in them. Then when difficult and frightening circumstances arise, we will be more likely to move in the best direction.

Christians today like to say that an event has been \u201cbathed in prayer.\u201d I think this story gives us some insight into what that might mean. Nehemiah has spent about four months praying. But now that he is in front of the king, he still prayers. It was probably a very quick prayer, something like, \u201cLord, don\u2019t let me screw this up.\u201d Notice that it was effective.

Matthew records Jesus as saying, \u201cI am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves\u201d (10:16). It seems to me that Nehemiah offers us an example of what this might look like. We should learn from the tact and respect Nehemiah displayed. Pursuing God\u2019s purposes often involves dealing with unbelievers. Christians should always be honest and sincere; not pushy, critical, or whining.

But honesty does not always mean we need to say everything. Nehemiah was completely honest with Artaxerxes but did not mention that the city\u2019s name was Jerusalem. Further, he probably did not explain that God planned eventually to have a son of David rule the whole world from there. God\u2019s people are not to deceive, but they are to use good judgment about what information to share and when to share it. Shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

This story shows the depth of Nehemiah\u2019s commitment and how that shaped his thoughts, behavior, and speech. As he acted in faith, God brought good results, beyond what he could have foreseen.

What conclusions should we draw? Here\u2019s a tagline I came across: \u201cAlign your desires with God\u2019s intentions\u2014amazing things will happen\u201d.

It\u2019s a great tagline for a VBS or Sunday School curriculum.

Its also very misleading. It doesn\u2019t say, but it certainly strongly suggests that if only we can align our desires with God\u2019s, everything will turn out great. This is the kind of theology that dominates Christian publishing.

Was Stephen not aligned with God\u2019s will in Acts 7 which ends with him dead by stoning? Was the apostle Paul not aligned with God when he was shipwrecked and lashed several times? Was Jesus not aligned with God\u2019s will when he was crucified?

All three were very much in line with God\u2019s will, yet bad things happened to them.

We shouldn\u2019t make big claims about God based on one passage. We need to read the whole Bible. Then we will see that God\u2019s purposes will be accomplished. Sometimes his people will suffer, even when they are fully within his will. But that is the true test of discipleship: are will willing to suffer for God?