The Reality

“THE COMEBACK” — 1992 NFL season, AFC Wild Card game (01/03/1993)…Buffalo v. Houston; Frank Reich, Andre Reid, Don Beebe, Steve Christie; 28-3, 35-3, 38-35, 38-38, 41-38!; In Christ Alone (Michael English).

Comebacks for our team make us feel AWESOME! (BEL:13VE!)

Why?—Because when the situation appeared/was overwhelming/hopeless (frustrating, painful)…and we see an amazing turnaround, WE LOVE IT!!!

Such was also the case for God’s people in Nehemiah’s day…such is our case now. We long for…we are looking for…we are praying for… a COMEBACK!

Our great God is in the business of renewing, refocusing, revitalizing his people…his church(es).

Let’s look at Nehemiah’s story, and see the God of comebacks at work in the lives of his people!

[Pre-biblical Text, Nehemiah 1.1-3 — The Situation]

Where Nehemiah was...

In Susa (The Exile) [pre-biblical text; Nehemiah 1.1 “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa,”].

He was already aware of the discouraging circumstances the people of God were facing.

He was in an uncomfortable place likely looking for a return to better circumstances…wanting news, hopefully good news.

The difficult question he had to ask…

Nehemiah 1.2 “Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.”

He probably did & didn’t want to know the answer to his question. Have you ever been there?

The painfully honest answer he received…

Nehemiah 1.3 “They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.””

Short version = not good (the wall broken down and gates burned)

The depth of ‘not good’ =

“Great trouble”: disaster, harm, injury, distress, misery

“Disgrace”: reproach, scorn, reviling, shame, contempt

[Nehemiah 1.4 — The Response]

When Nehemiah heard these words, he…

Nehemiah 1.4 “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.”

Sat Down (Immediately)— gut-punch; weak knees; stunned; dizzy disorientation; stopped-in-his-tracks

Wept— wail; cry freely; lament

Mourned (A number of days; it takes time to process)— head downcast; lamenting rites; visibly expressed sorrow; grieve

Fasted— set aside food for focused spiritual endeavor; ignoring the usual meal schedule for intense focus on a spiritual need

Prayed— intercede; call out to God; ask; petition; advocate (regularly; daily;

[Nehemiah 1.5-11a — The Prayer]

What Nehemiah prayed…

Nehemiah 1:5–11 CSB

I said, Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands, let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned. We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses. Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.” They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand. Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today, and grant him compassion in the presence of this man. At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.

Next week, I want us to look at what, and essentially how Nehemiah prayed at the outset of his heartbreaking, painful, and hopeless situation.

[Nehemiah 1.11b-2.2a — The Opportunity]

Where Nehemiah was…

Nehemiah 1.11b “At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.”

Placed within close proximity to participate in change; Opportunity to influence/impact hope-filled momentum.

What God begins amid Nehemiah’s hurt and heart-felt cry out…

Nehemiah 2.1-2a “During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.”

Four months after the month Chislev in Artaxerxes’ 20th year, God BEGINS the process of…THE COMEBACK! (Catch that? FOUR MONTHS!!)

“This is nothing but sadness of heart.” — This statement is not a critique or a cut-down or a dismissal of Nehemiah’s deportment. It is an acknowledgement that his demeanor indicated something was seriously impacting Nehemiah’s life.

…in the midst of this situation, Nehemiah was AFRAID.

Nehemiah 2.2b “I was overwhelmed with fear”

CONCL—

[My story over the past several months (1.5 yrs; 2+ yrs)… ]

Exhaustion…Isolation…Confusion…Sorrow/Grief (which can further ‘paralyze’)…Fear. STUCK!

For these reasons, I have reached out to Gary Mathes and then brought it to our MLT…that he coach US through a ReFocus, Revitalization emphasis. I am looking forward to the days ahead. What God will show us. How God will change us, and renew us for his plans for us to fulfill his desire for us as Claycomo Baptist Church.

The invitation today…

Nehemiah 2.17 “So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.””

LET’S INVEST OURSELVES IN FAITHFULLY FOLLOWING THE GOD OF THE COMEBACK!

Nehemiah 2:2 CSB

so the king said to me, “Why do you look so sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear

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