Who doesn't grieve over broken things? Whether a broken marriage or family, special friendship, death, or loss of health or income, we are all affected at some time by brokenness. The key is in how we handle it.
"And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. So the king said to me, 'Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.' Then I was very much afraid." (Nehemiah 2.1-2)
A man named Nehemiah, a cupbearer to a powerful king, was dismayed at a disturbing report concerning the condition of his people and city (Nehemiah 1.4). As a man of faith and prayer, his lament was directed through prayer to the One True God. But, his sorrow was obvious as he served the king one day. In short order, he blurted out his concern and burden for his people and city, Jerusalem. What follows is nothing short of miraculous:
"Then the king said to me, 'What would you request?'" (Nehemiah 2.4) Imagine having access to someone powerful and influential, such as the President, and hearing this question! In essence, a blank check is offered by the world's most powerful man. Nehemiah's response is indicative of his spiritual condition: "So I prayed to the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 2.4)
This ancient story of a man named Nehemiah is interesting, but it is also ultimately applicable. Some form of brokenness is a burden to each of us. We can pessimistically lament this reality, or optimistically bring it before our Father in fervent prayer. If we choose the latter option, we can anticipate help from the True King - 'What would you request?' From that point on, we can anticipate abundant and miraculous provision.
I'm reminded of a great promise from my King, Jesus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5.3) Blessed are the broken. Those who are broken, and lament brokenness (Matthew 5.4), are in the best possible position to humbly seek wholeness. The coming kingdom of God is the realm of true wholeness and healing. The King may make provision for partial wholeness in this age, but we can be certain that He is fully set on it in the age to come. And, He is leading His people today in the pathway that leads to the wholeness of the coming age.
As we face the reality of brokenness, may we view it with eyes of faith, undergirded through faithful, fervent prayer. And, may we live expectantly of the King's abundant provision.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. So the king said to me, 'Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.' Then I was very much afraid." (Nehemiah 2.1-2)
A man named Nehemiah, a cupbearer to a powerful king, was dismayed at a disturbing report concerning the condition of his people and city (Nehemiah 1.4). As a man of faith and prayer, his lament was directed through prayer to the One True God. But, his sorrow was obvious as he served the king one day. In short order, he blurted out his concern and burden for his people and city, Jerusalem. What follows is nothing short of miraculous:
"Then the king said to me, 'What would you request?'" (Nehemiah 2.4) Imagine having access to someone powerful and influential, such as the President, and hearing this question! In essence, a blank check is offered by the world's most powerful man. Nehemiah's response is indicative of his spiritual condition: "So I prayed to the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 2.4)
This ancient story of a man named Nehemiah is interesting, but it is also ultimately applicable. Some form of brokenness is a burden to each of us. We can pessimistically lament this reality, or optimistically bring it before our Father in fervent prayer. If we choose the latter option, we can anticipate help from the True King - 'What would you request?' From that point on, we can anticipate abundant and miraculous provision.
I'm reminded of a great promise from my King, Jesus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5.3) Blessed are the broken. Those who are broken, and lament brokenness (Matthew 5.4), are in the best possible position to humbly seek wholeness. The coming kingdom of God is the realm of true wholeness and healing. The King may make provision for partial wholeness in this age, but we can be certain that He is fully set on it in the age to come. And, He is leading His people today in the pathway that leads to the wholeness of the coming age.
As we face the reality of brokenness, may we view it with eyes of faith, undergirded through faithful, fervent prayer. And, may we live expectantly of the King's abundant provision.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:00 AM
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