How to Prosper in Times of Trouble

Yesterday as I was listening to the news. It occurred to me that the more you screw up, the bigger your promotion. Ok, so, I wasn't exactly walking in the spirit, but walking in the flesh. I was also prompted to read the story of Nehemiah. I knew that God was trying to show me something. This morning when I woke up I was prompted to read Psalms 37. So without hesitation I opened my bible and read from Psalms 37. It encouraged me and spoke to me about all that is going on in the world today. In writing today's article I felt lead to write about a man named Nehemiah. Nehemiah's name in the Hebrew means "Jehovah comforts". I pray that as you read this article that you will be comforted knowing that God does not let evil go unchecked and he will reward those who diligently seek him. I hope that you will see that my sense of humor means no disrespect to God's word.

What is the first step to take when you are faced with an impossible situation?

When you get bad news you will come face to face with the reality of that situation. Have you been given bad news? It may come as doctor's report. It could be a loss of a job or a death of a loved one. It could be a relationship gone wrong, a promotion that didn't come or even a disappointment. Although you may not be able to change the situation, you can choose how you will react to that situation. How you handle tests and trials in your life will determine how quickly you will overcome the situation.

See Nehemiah 1:1-11 (the synopsis of this chapter)

Nehemiah saw the city in ruins. The wall of Jerusalem had been broken down and her gates had been burned by fire by their enemies. He wept for this city, and its people. The people had sinned and their city now laid in devastation. The city needed to be rebuilt. So Nehemiah knew what to do when he needed help. He wept, then mourned, and then fasted and most important of all he sought the Lord in prayer. Sometimes we have no idea how powerful our prayers can become.

Remember that God is for you, when your enemies rise up against you.

Nehemiah prayed because of the impossible situation. Nehemiah knew his God and he knew how to pray and what to pray. When we know how to pray, and what to pray, we can change the outcome of our situation.

That's right, he PRAYED and he reminded God of His promises. He didn't just pray pretty words, but he reminded God of what his word says. He also didn't try to take matters into his own hands and fix the situation himself. Well, some of you are saying, God knows what his word says, so why should I remind him? The word says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17). When you voice something, your ears hear it, when you ears hear it, your spirit receives it. It's not about you reminding God, it's about you reminding yourself of the promises of God's word. It also doesn't hurt to remind the enemy (Satan) and let him hear and obey God's word. Remember he only has to bow his knee to God's word.

Nehemiah's pattern of prayer can be used in all the situations we will face in our lives. Let's break down the scripture and see what Nehemiah did.

Nehemiah 1:1-4

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah got bad news and he was overcome with grief. He wept, mourned, fasted and prayed to God. When we get bad news, because we are human we may be overcome with grief.

He asks God to hear his prayer and to see what is happening in this situation. Some of us might say...help Lord, don't you see me and hear me? I'm praying like crazy for all these people, so what gives, why won't they listen?

6 I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

Nehemiah knew to confess his own sins (repent), he also asked God to forgive his father's house. He admitted that they had been wicked, not obeyed and followed the law. Our prayer might sound something like this: Lord, it looks like I screwed up again. Yeah, and everyone else in this place has done a lot of bad things too. Oh yeah, we've haven't followed the laws that you gave to that Dude Moses either.

8 "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'

He reminds God of the promise that he made to all that would be faithful. He also reiterates the consequences that they were warned of if they didn't stay faithful. Our prayer might go something like this, I did what you told me to do Lord, why isn't anything happening, why isn't anything changing? SOS ...H.E.L.P!

10 "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." I was cupbearer to the king.

Here he is stating who these people are and who God called them to be. He is almost pleading with God. He asks for success by the granting him favor with this evil king. Then he adds what I think was a reminder to God of the risk that he took for this king. He says," I was his cupbearer". Our prayer might sound something like this. God we are your people and we have behaved badly and not listened to you. Please listen to us and hear us one more time for we really do honor you. You see we've got this evil king down here and he thinks he's all that. I need you to make a way and give me some favor with him. Oh yeah, and don't forget that I was the one who drank from his cup before it even touched his lips. I could have keeled over, I could have got poisoned, and doesn't that count for something? I was willing to lay down my life for this dude? Please remember me and let me find favor in his sight. Ok, do you hear me up there?

A cupbearer to the king had the responsibility to taste his wine before he did. If the wine was tainted, then the cupbearer would end up dying. Nehemiah was in essence reminding God that he had protected the life of the king and was there any reward in that? Perhaps anyone who has used intercession as their weapon has faced the onslaught of the enemy. He will come to discourage, paralyze and wear you out. He wants you to give up. Perhaps it is time to remind God of whom you are. Have you stood in the gap for your home, family, church, city, state or your nation? Perhaps that is all he is waiting for. How will you plead your case with God?

Prayer: Lord may we remember to come to you with our impossible situations. Lord, you have said that nothing is impossible with you. Lord I choose to believe your word and stand on your promises. Search me Lord and let me know if you find any wicked way in me? Lord let everything I do, say or become, bring more glory to you and impact eternity. Lord I ask for favor. If there are those who have plotted evil against me, then give me favor in their sight. I have stood in the gap and cried out in intercession to you; please do not forget me and all those that I have prayed for. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you enjoyed this devotional you might also enjoy these devotionals and articles.

Advancing Through Difficult Times!

I Have Nothing But!

The Blessings of Obedience!