Is God your last resort? Upon learning that Jerusalem lay in ruins, Nehemiah took time to mourn and pray, acknowledging God’s greatness and love: “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4–6). In moments of anxiety and uncertainty, we need a firm foundation. Before making significant life decisions we must remind ourselves that God hears our prayers and loves us. When everything around us is changing, we need to focus on what remains constant.
Petition
We often ask little of God but expect much. My instinct is to rely on my own strength to solve problems. Instead, I should ask God to partner with me. Nehemiah specifically petitioned God for favor from King Artaxerxes: “Please O LORD, listen attentively to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respect to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to me in the presence of this man” (Nehemiah 1:11). During trials, we must be specific with God, asking for guidance and wisdom in our interactions. We need to ask God for favor and success and then trust Him completely with the outcome.
Follow Through
Our prayers and petitions must be accompanied by actions. It’s easy to pray and then naively trust that God will handle everything: God requires our involvement. After prayer and specific petition about a strategic relationship, Nehemiah found the right moment to speak to the king: “The king said to me, ‘Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.’ Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, ‘Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?’ Then the king said to me, ‘What would you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. I said to the king, ‘If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.’ … And the king granted [my request] because the good hand of my God was on me” (Nehemiah 2:1–5, 9). Praying is the obvious and easy part; it’s the follow through that we struggle with. I pray that you will follow Nehemiah’s model—no matter how severe the situation. Pray, petition, and follow through. Do not live a life wondering “Is God your last resort?”
Hope Renewed: A 30-Day Journey on Biblical Hope
“Hope Renewed: A 30-Day Journey on Biblical Hope”, part of the 30-Day Journey Series, is the perfect devotional and study for individuals looking to deepen their understanding of the Bible. This 30-day Bible study includes reflections, passage studies, and sections for prayer and encouraging others. It is designed to bring readers closer to the Lord with meaningful insights on the theme of hope.
The passages featured in the study come from both the Old and New Testament, and each day of study includes a passage to meditate on, as well as questions to help the reader dive deeper into the Word. There are also sections for prayers, journaling, and encouraging others.
Paperback version available on Amazon!
Format: eBook with clickable tabs to navigate and fillable forms to complete each day’s journey and reflection.
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