is god listening? Act i - a broken heart
Water cooler conversation:
What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?
The name Nehemiah means “God comforts.” What does your name mean? Are you named after someone or something special?
Unpack the Message:
Act I - A Broken Heart
In 586 B.C., Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem, demolish the first Temple, and the Jews are sent into exile. Nearly 50 years later, in 538 B.C., Cyrus issues a decree allowing them to return home to rebuild both the city and the Temple.
The book of Nehemiah opens in the year 444 B. C. in the Persian city of Susa (Nehemiah 1:1-4). Nehemiah’s brother Hannai had traveled 850 arduous miles from Judah - nearly four months’ journey - and tells Nehemiah about the sorry state of Jerusalem. Despite the fact almost 100 years had passed, the remnant of the Jews are in “great trouble and disgrace,” and the walls and gates of the city are still broken down rubble. Then, as now, Jerusalem was surrounded by hostile nations. The walls were their first line of defense - without them, they were vulnerable to their enemies. The broken walls also served as a constant reminder of their rebellion against God who had turned His back on them for their rebellion.
Nehemiah is devastated at this news. Over the next four months - Kislev through Nisan (Nehemiah 2:1) - he persistently processes in prayer the emotions that have broken his heart. He goes into a season of mourning, fasting, and prayer (Nehemiah 1:4).
Nehemiah could have responded with anger. Thirteen years prior, King Artaxerxes had issued a decree forbidding the Jews from continuing the rebuilding of the city and its walls because he was afraid they’d rise in revolt. But, instead, Nehemiah processes his emotions through his faith rather than himself or his peers.
Nehemiah’s fasting wasn’t a ploy to grab God’s attention or manipulate Him into bending to Nehemiah’s will. Instead, fasting persistently focuses prayer, taking your eyes off your own needs and desires and instead aligning them with God’s heart and will. Every hunger pang is a reminder to pray and ask God to reveal His will.
Nehemiah is our example to persistently pray. God isn’t a genie in a bottle - it’s not a matter of rubbing a lamp and expecting God to grant our wishes. When Nehemiah stands before the king and is asked, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart,” naturally, Nehemiah had reason to be fearful in this situation. Instead, he responds with boldness, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” When Artaxerxes asks what Nehemiah asks what he wants from him, Nehemiah responds, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” How could Nehemiah respond with such courage? Because he had spent months persistently praying in preparation for this moment.
Persistent, focused prayer aligns your heart with God’s and empowers you to accomplish the mission God has designed uniquely for you.
EXPECTATION CHURCH EXISTS SO THAT PEOPLE FAR FROM GOD WILL EXPERIENCE FAITH IN CHRIST.
Have you ever experienced a time where you felt God had turned His back on you or wasn’t listening to your prayers?
Share with the group a time when you were frustrated or angry with God for not answering your prayer.
Have you ever spent time fasting to get an answer or direction from God?
Do you bear a scar - physical, emotional, spiritual - that serves as a reminder of a time you turned your back on God?
Names carry great significance in the Bible. Some characters even have their names changed after significant spiritual events. Nehemiah’s father, Hachaliah’s name, means “He who waits for the Lord.” Nehemiah’s name means, “God Has Comforted.” Why are these names/meanings important?
How is Nehemiah’s request for Artexerxes similar to Queen Esther’s plea to Xerxes I?
One of our core values at Expectation Church is DEPENDENT IN PRAYER. We will never accomplish what God has for us unless God does it in us and through us. Prayer is our channel to connect His power, express our dependence on Him, and access divine wisdom and leadership. We are dependent in prayer just as Jesus was (Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12-16) How does Nehemiah demonstrate this value?
Make a Move:
Be intentional to distance yourself from distractions — your phone, the laptop, Netflix — and find a way to separate yourself so you can be and feel alone with God. It doesn’t have to be a special place - you can choose your car on lunch your break, a closet in between meals or feedings or naptime, or simply the quiet of your heart if that’s all you can make happen. But find solitude, and pray.
Prayer Prompt:
God, thank you for Nehemiah’s example of focused, persistent prayer. Thank you that no matter our circumstances, you desire a more intimate relationship with us. Help us surrender our will and our own desires so that we align our hearts with yours.