Dear Faithful One,
Have you ever been confused over why God gives you a dream and then allows financial circumstances that fight the very dream God desires? Instead of remaining confused, let us learn from one of our faith siblings in God's Word on how to secure resources to fund God's dreams.
In the story of Nehemiah, God entrusted him with the rebuilding of Jerusalem. In order to finish his mission he needed resources. His heart was sad because he in his own strength could not get the resources he needed. Neh 2:1 tells us, "In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king." It was the season "when wine was brought for him" that Nehemiah took the opportunity to walk through his open door. Has God given you an open door with a person of influence?
In verse 2 we are told that Nehemiah "was very much afraid". Fear is not an excuse. In spite of your fear, God expects you to be a good steward of your open doors. So we find Nehemiah expressing his need.
In verse 4 the King asked, "What is it you want?" Do you understand what you need clear enough to express it? If not, make sure you are clear on God's plans and what you need. You are responsible to understand clearly what you need.
In verse 5 Nehemiah asked for the time to go to rebuild the city of Judah. In verse 6 the King asked, "How long will the journey take, and when will you get back?" Do you know how much time what you are building will take? In order to answer this question, you must first be clear on what you are building. Then you will know how much time it takes to finish. To verify your own understanding, fast forward the tape and ask yourself, "When I have finished, what will I have finished?" Then you will be clear on how long it will take and what resources you will need. God's Word tells us that Nehemiah "set a time" for the King because he was clear on what God was asking him to do.
When God opens the door for you to be in front of someone with the ability to help, be sure you fully understand what God has put before you. Don't mismanage your time or open door by asking for too little. In verse 7-8, Nehemiah said, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" NIV. Not only did the King have the authority to grant a request but he was connected to those with influence. So Nehemiah was specific and asked the King to open other doors for him for practical needs such as safety and physical resources such as timber.
Verse 10 tells us that "When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites." NIV. This teaches me that not everyone is happy when we are fulfilling God's will. Sadly, there are those who compete for resources to build what they are building. So when God opens a door, we must act quickly and ask specifically and clearly. Be careful you don't get deceived into thinking you are just planting a seed and will have another chance. The reality is, once word gets out on what you are building, be assured there are others who will compete for an influential person's attention and try to sabotage you.
Oh Faithful One, I pray that you will embrace what God has trusted you to build and go forward with boldness to secure the time and resources you need in order to fulfill God's plans. When I pray for you, I hear a victory song. I believe in you because I believe in the power of God's Word in you as you put His Word into action.
Love,
Anita