Today I had great fun, preaching from Nehemiah 2 v 1-10 and I didn’t even set the passage! Most of you know I’ve been brought back to this book, time-after-time….. I took a different tack to the passage, and resisted checking over previous preaches from this passage!
I contend that it’s often the hardest thing to turn intention into action! Yetwithal making it happen is vital! My original thought is this:- Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace!
1. Be patient; Passionately pray and responsibly serve. v.1b
2. Be bold; Let your fears feed your faith! v. 2-3
3. Be dependent. v. 4
4. Be prepared. v. 5-8a
5. Be expectant. v. 8b
“I would rather walk in the dark with God than go alone in the light. I would rather walk with Him by faith than walk alone by sight.” Mary Gardner Brainard
action, change, faith, God, intention, light, Nehemiah, preaching, quote, steps, trust
“People who come to know the joy of God do not deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it. They claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more that the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness. They point each other to flashes of light here and there, and remind each other that they reveal the hidden but real presence of God”
Henri Nouwen
darkness, flashes, Henri Nouwen, light, presence, quote
I appreciate reading from a breadth of traditions: Here are some words that have been helping me in these last few days…
‘Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who cares for us: Preserve me from faithless fears and worldy anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from me the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.’
These words that are strong for me, are the truth for me: fear nothing but the loss of you … cast all our cares … Preserve me from faithless fears…What confidence!!
My Saviour walks with me and talks with me; He is nudging me along the path, coaxing me toward the light, toward Resurrection. There is a great distance to travel, but together we keep walking toward the light.
fear, lent, life, light, trust
