Origin Story: A Game of Thrones - Week Four

Origin Story – Week FourThis is the third consecutive year that we’ve worked through the Bible, five books at a time.  As we read the stories and learn about the history written in the Old Testament, we learn truths that we can apply to our own lives. In week four, we’ll examine: The beginning section of Nehemiah, which showed the type of man he was.The later sections of Nehemiah and the positions he held throughout his life. Three lessons from the book of Nehemiah.The beginning section of Nehemiah explained the type of person he was and what he wanted to accomplish in his life.Nehemiah held a high position in the Persian King’s court as the cupbearer to the king. His heart was with his people back in Jerusalem because they had no wall of protection around the city. (Nehemiah 1:1-3)Nehemiah 1:4  Nehemiah was devastated about the state of his homeland.Nehemiah 1:11  He begged God for success with the king to able to go back to Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:1-2  The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness.Nehemiah 2:3-4  He told the king his plight. The king was moved because God moved his heart. (Proverbs 21:1)Nehemiah 2:4-6  He asked the king for permission to return and help his homeland. He also asked for letters of protection to get there. (Nehemiah 2:7-10)The next sections of Nehemiah started his work as a builder and politician.Nehemiah 6:15  The wall was completed in 52 days.Those 52 days were full of opposition. (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 4) Nehemiah motivated the people to have faith in God and to fight for their families by building the wall even though there was opposition. (Nehemiah 4:14)Nehemiah 4:16-17  He used half the men as soldiers to protect the other half who were working on building the wall.There is nothing that will mute opposition like continued progress.The opposition tried to meet with Nehemiah, but he refused. (Nehemiah 6:1-3, 4)They tried writing a letter to question Nehemiah’s motives, but he dismissed them. (Nehemiah 6:5-7, 8-9)They tried to threaten Nehemiah physically, but he wasn’t afraid. (Nehemiah 6:10, 11-12, 16)The wall was finished and dedicated to God. The people rejoiced. (Nehemiah 12:43)God is good; mankind isn’t. When the people went back to their evil ways, Nehemiah stopped it, sometimes brutally. (Nehemiah 13:25)Here are three lessons from the book of Nehemiah.1st – Fixing problems begins with honest observation.“I have never heard of a longstanding wrong quickly and easily corrected.” Mike Lee2nd – Correcting wrong demands fearless conviction.3rd – Honest observation and fearless conviction must be tempered with authentic devotion to God.How’s your devotion to God?1. You will become what you are passionate about.2. If you want to become like Jesus, you will have to be passionate for Jesus.