Wine and Sadness

Nehemiah 2:1  And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

Nehemiah had advantages and was in a good position. He had a vantage position to obtain favors from a powerful king. It was easy for Nehemiah to forget about Israel and just move on with his life. This is what many have done and still do, celebrating testimonies and joys which do not consider the true state of the Bride of Christ.



Amos 6:6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

So many continue to enjoy in the palace and have no grief for the afflictions that touch God. Nehemiah had no courage to talk to the king nor did he want to take advantage of the relationship he enjoyed …but he could not disguise the sorrow in his heart …for the state of Israel. Many do not know or feel the burdens of God … all they care for is the gains that they must have or their own deliverance. Nehemiah should have preferred to be free and to be able to go and build his own house … a free man. After all, many had been freed … but Nehemiah was not as concerned for his own freedom.

Selfishness is a terrible sin, easy to disguise and often cloaked in selfrighteous garb. It is a sickness of the heart that is not always easy to diagnose. What do you care about? Do you have any afflictions that have nothing to do with your own bondage? Even in business, there must be a greater objective … something above just making money and living in comfort and luxury. There should be a higher motivation … I call it a burden of God that is linked to your business proposition. Something that makes you sad until you do something about it … and not a selfish deliverance too. There was wine for Nehemiah to drink as he served in the palace … the king abhorred a sad face in his palace, Nehemiah feared he would be thrown out … as he could taint the king whose mood must always be kept up and cheerful. The consequence of his sadness could only be more trouble for him …yet he could not help himself.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 119:36; Hebrews 13:20-21

Thoughts for Business and the work place

New ideas face obstacles from the moment they are conceived.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, save me from my selfishness … help me to see and feel the afflictions around me. Amen

 

As Nehemiah’s wall was built-  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste.  Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out for Nehemiah’s Wall from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

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Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient