"IN GOD'S HANDS!"

Nehemiah 2:17-20            (ESV)
"17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision."
18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."

There are times when GOD has "the right person at the right time" set aside to accomplish HIS plan.  Nehemiah was no king.  He was no great warrior.  Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position. He was a secure and successful cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah had little power, but he had great influence. He was trusted by the king. He was also a man of God, concerned about the fate of Israel.

As Nehemiah "talked to GOD" a plan was put in his mind about a seemingly "impossible" task of rebuilding the walls around the city of Jerusalem. He left a secure position in Persia to follow GOD's leadership on rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem.

One writer expounded on Nehemiah's mission with these words:

From beginning to end, Nehemiah prayed for God's help. He never hesitated to ask God to remember him, closing his autobiography with these words: "Remember me with favor, O my God." Throughout the "impossible" task, Nehemiah displayed unusual leadership. The wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt in record time, despite resistance. Even Israel's enemies GRUDGINGLY and FEARFULLY ADMITTED that GOD was with these builders. Not only that, but God worked through Nehemiah to bring about a spiritual awakening among the people of Judah.

I can think of no better testament of one's life than for your enemies to "GRUDGINGLY and FEARFULLY ADMITT that GOD" is with you in your endeavors!  The way to assure you are "in GOD's plan" is to "talk with HIM" constantly. HE will shed HIS light on the path you need to travel (Psalms 119:105).

FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that YOU guide my steps in the way YOU would have me walk. Help me to be used of YOU to accomplish YOUR plan for my life. I pray even my enemies will see that GOD has HIS hand on me, and that they "have no portion or right or claim"in my life!