both men were given big jobs to do...
After completion of the temple... Ezra was called to return to Jerusalem to teach the law to the people... show them how to live it... and judge them when they disobeyed...
Nehemiah... upon hearing the news of the trouble in Jerusalem... was called to rebuild the wall...
Both men were in exile in Babylon when God stirred their hearts...
both needed permission from their king...
both needed means by which to complete their call...
authority...
finances...
manpower...
Because God was the One who called...
the One who stirred hearts...
His good hand... provided all that was needed...
He moved the heart of the king to be gracious to both men...
they each received all they needed from the king...
Ezra said it best...
Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this
into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem,
and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors,
and before all the kings mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord
my God was on me...
Ezra 7:27-28 ESV
His good hand... was on these men in the tasks He called them to...
both faced hardships in the work... but both took courage...
stood firm... persevered... because His hand was on them...
Just know... when you respond to His call...
no matter how large... no matter how equipped or ill-equipped you feel...
His good hand will provide...
no force will overpower...
be encouraged... be bold... trust in Him...
and His good hand...
Monday Nehemiah 4-5
Tuesday Nehemiah 6:1 - 7:4
Wednesday Nehemiah 7:5-65
Thursday Nehemiah 7:66 - 8:18
Friday Nehemiah 9
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