Tag: Trust

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Week 5 | Protection & Provision

Strengthening:

Nehemiah 2:7-9

Call to Rise:

Last week we read about how God opened the door for Nehemiah to discuss his distress over Jerusalem with the king, and how months of prayer, repentance, fasting and a moment of fearless honesty lead to the king approving Nehemiah’s quest to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. Nehemiah took his request a step further, asking for both protection and provision. He received both, because the favor of God was upon him. As we aim to rebuild righteous culture and government in America, we’ll need God’s favor, protection and provision as well.

The Favor of God

In verse eight, Nehemiah mentions that the king granted his requests because “the good hand of God” was upon him. This expression refers to the merciful favor of God.

What exactly is the favor of God, and how did Nehemiah get it?

Favor can be defined as “demonstrated delight” that brings goodwill, preference, approval or support. Please note that favor doesn’t mean favoritism. God does not show partiality, but He does show favor. God’s favor is not His love, which He gives equally to all, nor is it His grace, which is given and never earned. Favor is not synonymous with blessing, though it can lead to blessing, even through hardship. So what causes God to give favor to some and not others?

In short, there are some character traits and personal choices that especially please God, and they engender his favor. While I don’t pretend to fully understand God’s favor, scripture does give us some straight-forward examples and advice for obtaining it.

God shows favor to those who love him faithfully (Proverbs 3:1-4, Genesis 6:7-9), who hate what He hates (Revelation 2:6), who are righteous (Psalm 5:12; Genesis 4:4), who are honest (Proverbs 11:1) who live with integrity (Proverbs 3:3-4) and who seek wisdom (Proverbs 8:35).

Many of the heroes of our faith were chosen for special assignments within the Kingdom because they first found favor with God, including Noah, King David, Mary and Nehemiah.

God the Protector

In Bible times, the need for protection from invaders and robbers was a very real day-to-day concern. The writers and early readers of the Bible would have been intimately familiar with things like fortresses, strongholds, hiding places and shields. The modern American church generally doesn’t have a working knowledge or daily need for such things, so when these safeguards are used to depict the Lord, it’s more challenging for us to understand how profound it is that God Himself is our protector. 

He is our refuge (Psalm 46:1-3), our fortress (Psalm 144:1-2), our strong tower (Psalm 61:2-3), our stronghold (2 Samuel 22:2), our Rock (Genesis 49:24), our shade (Psalm 121:5), our hiding place (Psalm 32:7), our keeper (Psalm 121), our strength (Psalm 28:7-8)  and our shield (Genesis 15:1).

While God promises to protect us, He doesn’t promise that our lives will be free of difficulty. To the contrary, Jesus said “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Some of that tribulation comes simply from the fact that we live in a fallen world full of the consequences of sin – ours and others’. Scripture also says that persecution will come to those who follow Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12). 

God is concerned about our eternal soul. He promises us spiritual protection, and sometimes He provides physical protection. Ultimately, He knows when our bodies and property must be protected to preserve our soul, or when suffering will eventually lead to our purification and the building of our faith (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-3). I do not mean to say that God causes suffering, but rather that He knows how best to maneuver it for the sake of His children and His kingdom. Always ask God for protection! Invoking the promises and examples of protection in scripture to petition God demonstrates our trust in Him. Whether you escape or endure physical calamity, rejoice, because God is able to cause all these things to work for your ultimate good (Romans 5:3-5)!

Inviting God’s Protection

A refuge can only protect you if you enter it. Shade can only cover you if you abide in it. A shield can only protect if it is picked up and used. But where do we even begin?

There are two portions of scripture that are especially rich with information about the protection of God – Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6:10-18. These provide a great starting point for your deeper study on how to ask God for His protection.

How do I Invite God’s protection?

Love Him
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;” 
Psalm 91:14 

Acknowledge His Name
“I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
Psalm 91:14
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 

Abide in Him
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High  will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Trust Him
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 

Call on Him
“He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Psalm 91:15

Put on the Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:10-18

God the Provider

One of the great wonders of God is that He chooses to do God-sized work through human-sized vessels. I in no way want to dismiss the truth that God is praised and the Kingdom is built when we honor Him in the common moments of our lives. However, there’s no denying that God is glorified in the earth when His response to our faith results in miracles that exceed our human abilities. A pastor once challenged me to daily pray for God to give me something to do that can only be explained by God’s grace. When God calls us to do, say and believe things that are beyond our ability or personal resources, we must trust that He will provide for the work He’s called us to complete. 

“For His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21

The Bible is full of examples of common humans whom God called to do uncommon things beyond their ability. They trusted Him to provide, and the results still inspire us today. Consider:

  • The Ram in the Thicket
    When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, he obeyed, telling his son “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” Sure enough, when God saw that Abraham was willing to obediently sacrifice his beloved son, God responded by providing a ram in a nearby thicket to sacrifice instead. Through this story God is revealed to us as Jehovah-Jireh – the God who provides. (Genesis 22:1-14)
  • Gideon’s Army
    Despite intimidation and fear, Gideon answered God’s call to defend Israel against a well-trained, well-equipped army that outnumbered him by far. With faith and just 300 men, Gideon successfully routed the Midianite army when God supernaturally led him to a strategy that intimidated the enemy into giving up. (Judges 7)
  • The Faith of a Starving Mother
    During the drought of Elijah’s time, God sent the prophet to a widow of Zarephath to provide him with food. When he met her and asked for food, she told him that she was going to use the last of their flour and oil to make a final meal for her and her son before they died of hunger. Elijah urged her to serve him first, promising that the Lord would not allow the oil or the flour to be used up. By faith, she obliged Elijah, and the Lord continued to supernaturally provide oil and flour to her family through the rest of the drought. (1 Kings 17:12–17) 
  • David & Goliath
    When the entirety of Israel’s army was afraid to fight Goliath the giant, a young man with love for and courage of God defeated the enemy with a slingshot and the enemy’s own sword. David knew he would be victorious despite not having the armor, weapons or training of an accomplished soldier, because he knew that God was with him. (1 Samuel 17)
  • Feeding of the Five-Thousand
    When Jesus tasked the Disciples to feed 5,000 men (plus women and children) they certainly felt their resources were not enough! And yet, Jesus was able to use what they had – five loaves of bread and two fish – to miraculously multiply it in service of the Kingdom. (Matthew 14:15–21)
  • Uneducated, Untrained Men with the Words of God
    The disciples were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13) whose wisdom and teaching baffled the Jews of their day. Jesus told his disciples, “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:18-20)

This supernatural provision for the work of God’s kingdom is not relegated to a handful of men and women in the past. God is still in the business of calling ordinary people to extraordinary work, and He is still willing and able to supernaturally provide for those who trust Him to do what can only be explained by His grace.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Prayer:

God, please have mercy on me and show me favor. I pray that the ways I think, speak and act would cause You to delight in me. Through the power of Your Spirit, help me to love You faithfully and to live with righteous integrity. Please give me Your wisdom. Please give me Kingdom work to do that can only be explained by your grace. I ask for your grace – your power to do what truth demands, and I trust that you will provide all that I need to establish your Kingdom in my heart, home and nation. As I build the Kingdom of light in territory that the darkness has claimed, protect me, my family, my home and my income. Please provide all that I need today. I trust that you will provide all that I need tomorrow. My hope is in You.

Build Assignment:

  1. Pray for protection and provision.
  2. Contact your School Board.
    If you don’t have any questions or commentary on current issues, simply thank them for their service or remind them that you are praying for them.

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Week 1 | The God of Comfort & Consolation

Strengthening:

Nehemiah 1:1

Call to Rise:

While it may not seem like much on the surface, the opening sentence-and-a-half of Nehemiah is rich with meaning that is relevant to the times in which we live. We are told that these are “the words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.”

Nehemiah means God comforts or God is consolation.

In an era of great distress, for Americans in general, and certainly for followers of Jesus Christ, these are timely, welcome concepts. These are the words of God’s comfort and consolation.

What is God’s Comfort?

We can learn a great deal about the comfort of God through the truths given in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, a passage that contains nearly one-third of all the occurrences of the word comfort in the New Testament. The concept of comfort in this passage is “to strengthen much” and “to encourage,” especially the encouragement of one who is enduring testing. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV)

These words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were written by Paul, one of the most afflicted heroes of our faith. Consider all he endured for the sake of the Kingdom: Beatings, stoning, imprisonment, homelessness, hunger, shipwrecks and scorn. Yet Paul tells us that in the midst of all his mistreatment and distress, he was strengthened much (comforted) by God. 

Paul experienced the strengthening of God as he experienced suffering for Christ’s sake. According to theologian R. Kent Hughes, “Paul links the Corinthians’ comfort to their patient endurance of sufferings: ‘It is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer’ (2 Corinthians 1:6).The phrase ‘comfort, which you experience’ is translated more literally as ‘comfort, which is energized.’”  

Righteous affliction activates and energizes “much strengthening” from God, a gift given to those who patiently endure suffering for the Kingdom. 

As if it was not kind enough that God formed this activating relationship between affliction and encouragement, He further designed His comfort to overflow. Paul was able to comfort others with the comfort he received from God because the comfort of God is always dispensed in excess of the need.

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:5)

The word abundantly here means to “superabound” and “to be in excess; enough and to spare; to exceed a fixed number of measure; to abound, overflow.” 

Because of it’s overflowing nature, God’s comfort does not conclude with the original beneficiary. The book of 2 Corinthians is itself an illustration of this truth: God’s comfort overflowed from the Corinthians to Titus, and then from Titus to Paul, and then back to the Corinthians through Paul’s letter and prayers. The cyclical nature of God’s consolation is also demonstrated in the slightly more contemporary story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as told by Hughes.

[Bonhoeffer] was one of a handful of German theologians to stand up to the Nazification of the German church. He was prominent in writing the famous Barmen Declaration, which rejected the infamous Aryan clauses imposed by Nazi ideology. Bonhoeffer’s courage thrust him into the leadership of the Confessing Church along with other stalwarts like Martin Niemöller. Bonhoeffer went so far as to found an underground seminary in Finkenwald, Bavaria, which was closed by Gestapo chief Heinrich Himmler. This led to Bonhoeffer’s joining the resistance movement and his being imprisoned by the Gestapo in April 1943. Bonhoeffer’s Letters from Prison became a best seller after the war.

Among the letters is a beautiful poem written to his fiancée Maria von Wedemeyer entitled “New Year 1945.” Stanza 3 is famous:

Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving
Even to the dregs of pain,
At thy command, we will not falter,
Thankfully receiving all that is given
By thy loving hand.

Poignant words that became more so when, three months later, just as the war was ending, Bonhoeffer was hung in Flossenbürg prison.

Fast-forward to some eighteen years later, across the Atlantic in America, when another bride-to-be was grieving the death of her fiancé and found much comfort in Bonhoeffer’s poem. Her fiancé, who died from injuries in a sledding accident, was the son of author Joseph Bayly and his wife Mary Lou. When she mailed Bonhoeffer’s poem to them, Joe and Mary Lou also found comfort in “New Year 1945.”

Twelve years after this (thirty years after Bonhoeffer’s death), Joe Bayly received a letter from a pastor-friend in Massachusetts relating that he had visited a terminally ill woman in a Boston hospital for some period of time and had given her Joe’s book of poems, Heaven, as comfort for her soul. The pastor said that the dying woman had stayed awake late the previous night to read it and told him of the comfort and help she had received from it. A few hours later she died. The woman, the pastor revealed, was Maria von Wedemeyer-Weller, Bonhoeffer’s fiancée three decades earlier!

God’s comfort circulates among his children — and sometimes it comes full circle, as it did from Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Maria von Wedemeyer in her grief to Joseph Bayly, Jr.’s grieving fiancée to Joe and Mary Lou Bayly in their grief and then back to Bonhoeffer’s one-time fiancée as comfort in her dying hours. [2 Corinthians 1:3-7] alludes to this astonishing cyclical nature of comfort — its mutuality — its overflowing nature.

The soul of America needs reviving, and that endeavor will surely come with times of sacrifice, opposition and even affliction of various kinds. As we commit to rebuilding godly culture in our nation, we can be confident that God’s comfort will not only meet us in the place of opposition, but that His encouragement and strengthening is designed to abundantly exceed our distress. In fact, it will overflow in such abundance that it’s effect will be multiplied when we extend this same comfort to those around us.

Every time Nehemaih’s name was spoken, these truths were declared. As we study Nehemiah’s words, let’s be sure to declare these truths to our own souls and our fellow believers. We must be confident of the fact that the God who gives comfort and consolation in the midst of darkness, is with us.

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” (Acts 9:31).

Prayer:
Note | The Rise & Build Campaign prayers are meant to be read aloud since faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). When we all pray the same prayer, we take advantage of the power of agreement (Matthew 18:19-20). Don’t be shy – prayer this prayer out loud!

Father, You are the source of all comfort. I am answering Your call to rise and build Your Kingdom, in America, and ultimately the world. As I encounter affliction through this work, I trust that You will strengthen me much and graciously give me abundant encouragement. I wait for You. Lend me Your confident trust when mine is insufficient. Speak to me about the good things You plan to do in me, and in America, that I may wait in ambush for your goodness with hope and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Build Assignment:
Note | Build Assignments will typically only involve two items, but this week is extra special with four. 🙂

  1. Meditate on the hope we have in Christ.
  2. Write a list of your community’s School Board members.
  3. Write a list of your County leadership (often County Commissioners).
  4. When is your community’s next School Board meeting? County-level leadership meeting? Add these meetings to your schedule and commit to:
    • Attend the meeting (Note: These meetings are often virtual in 2021)
    • Ask at least one question during each meeting. Not sure what to ask? Visit our Facebook Group to ask for insight from others.