Notes based on 6:30 pm sermon series
3. Nehemiah 2:11-20 - God's priorities

Have you ever witnessed a hurricane or earthquake or bought a broken down house? What was it like to walk through the place and did you fear that things would never get sorted out?

Read Psalm 73:1-14 together then sit together for a short time in silence. Allow the feelings of Asaph the Psalmist to touch you and remind you of resentful feelings you have had or are having. Now read verses 15-28. Allow the words of verses 23-24 to speak to you. Praise God for promising to be with us when we are faithful to him. Say these words together: "My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever."

(read Chapter 2:11-20)

Nehemiah was faced with a disastrous situation but his faith in God never wavered.

1 Have you ever felt alone and almost in exile? Have you ever looked at those who are apparently uncommitted and felt unjustly treated, maybe not so much in church but at home or in work?

2. Nehemiah became stronger and more bold but he was realistic about the size of the task. Victorious Christian service is never easy. What can we learn from Nehemiah's example of not rushing in after he knew what God was asking him to do? (verses 11-12). How did he encourage the people and promote unity? (verses 17-18).

3. List the forms of opposition that Nehemiah faced. In the end our priorities are what matter.
Read Haggai 1:9-11 (written about the same time). Why were the people not blessed?
Does faithfulness to God go unrewarded? (Read Joel 2:12-14).
Read Malachi 3:13-18. In verse 16 the people spoke and encouraged one another and the Lord listened. How can we help each other to get our priorities right?

Pray about some of the situations that you feel are causing you to feel a little helpless. Ask God to encourage you to know that God is with you so that you can witness to his saving and keeping power. Ask God to demonstrate his presence to those whom you love and pray for.