Sunday, July 10th, 2011: Nehemiah 2:10-20....

We looked last at Nehemiah being sad before the King. Nehemiah praying and then making his request to the King. King giving above & beyond what Nehemiah requested.

Now, we pick up with verse 10...

Question: What happens in verse 10?

Answer: We must not be surprised by the resistance that is nearly immediate against Nehemiah.

Vv 11-15: Surveying the Land

Nehemiah has arrived in Jerusalem, He knew it was a necessity to see the reported damage w/his own eyes.

***We can hear of great damage, but only when we see it with our own eyes can we fully comprehend...Nehemiah knew this.

Nehemiah slipped out at night taking just a few with him.

Question: Why do you think he only took a few with him to survey the land?

Vv16-18: Nehemiah tells people what they already knew about damage but doesn't stop there... Nehemiah shares with people what God has already done for them.

Question: Are we sharing with people what God is doing our lives?

The people are prepared to join Nehemiah in the work...then we get to verse 19.

In verse 19, the scoffers show back up...but they bring Geshem the Arab with them now. We must realize that those against God's work will bring back-up if the work continues to move forward.

Verse 20: Nehemiah's response is just as much an encouragement to the people of Jerusalem as a rebuke to the scoffers. The scoffers tried to bring up rebelling against the King. They knew full well this was NOT TRUE yet, they were hoping the people didn't. Remember Nehemiah came with letters from King for all the governors.

***It is important to realize as we move forward in our walk & devotion to Jesus; we will have scoffers. They may even try to twist the truth or give false information to those around us.

HOWEVER, OUR SUCCESS WILL BE BROUGH BY GOD & AS V20 STATES "THEY WILL HAVE NOT RIGHT OR HERITAGE OR MEMORIAL"

Last thought...when responding to our scoffers may our speech be like Nehemiah's.

We head to Chapter 3 on July 17th.

Have a blessed one!