Student Devotion Week 48: Nehemiah: Rebuilding the Wall of Jerusalem

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 3:12, "In fact, everyone wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Have you seen the television show during which a whole house is completely torn down and rebuilt from scratch? Viewers love to see the transformation that takes place during a rebuilding process.

Nehemish was the original extreme makeover man, but instead of rebuilding a house, he tackled an entire city wall. A Jew living in exile in Persia, Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I. He not only checked the wine for poisons, but he also served as confidant to the king. When Nehemiah heard the walls of Jerusalem had been torn down, he wept, morned, and fasted. Then he spent the next four months praying about the situation. During that time God formulated a plan in Nehemiah's mind for rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. God also began molding Nehemiah into a spiritual leader.

Prayer played an important part in Nehemiah's life during the rebuilding of the walls. When he was given permission to return to Jerusalem, enemies of the Israelites mocked Nehemiah's plan. But his response was to pray. When those enemies threatened to attack the workers during the rebuilding process, Nehemiah prayed again about the situation. Then when rumors created discouragement among the workers, Nehemiah once more took the matter to God in prayer.

Nehemiah's passionate vision for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem led him to discover a new level of trust in God. His spiritual leadership was stretched thin as he dealt with problem after problem, but each difficulty seemed to give him new strength. The real secret to Nehemiah's success was the thing his journey started with and centered on: Prayer.

Student Devotion Week 47: Esther: For Such A Time As This

Key Verse: Esther 4:14, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Pageants are a big deal. The winners receive scholarships, cars, or even modeling contracts. Have you ever heard of a pageant to choose a queen? While in exile with the Jewish people in Persia, Esther took part in such a pageant.

King Xerxes of Persia had given a banquet that lasted six months. At its conclusion, he called for his queen to come to the party wearing her crown. When she refused his command, the king became furious and banished her from his presence. the king's attendants suggested that a search be carried out for the most beautiful women in the kingdom. These women would be presented to the king and the one who pleased him most would become the new queen of Persia.

Esther hid her Jewish background and was chosen as the new queen. Haman, the king's Prime Minister, hated Esther's uncle, a Jewish man named Mordecai. Haman conceived a plan to wipe out all the Jews. When Queen Esther was informed of Haman's plan, she determined to stop him. She risked her life by entering the presence of the king and telling him about Haman's plan. Mordecai and the rest of God's people were saved, while Haman was hanged.

Esther's part in the rescue of the Hebrew people could be seen as one great circumstance after another, but God was in control of every event in her life. Your life isn't about being in the right place at the right time. Your life-like Esther's-is a testimony to the sovereignty of God.

Student Devotion Week 46: Daniel: Humble, Bold Pray-er

Key Verse: Daniel 9:19, "O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake. O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name."

Daniel faced a den of hungry lions because of his commitment to God. The king recognized Daniel's powerful prayer life when he said, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!" God did rescue Daniel, and as his story continued to unfold, Daniel continued to pray and fast.

Daniel was grieved to learn of Jeremiah's prophecy that 70 years of desolation for Jerusalem would come to pass in Daniel's lifetime. Daniel started praying and fasting to God's people. First, he acknowledged God as a keeper of promises and confessed his sin and the sins of the Israelites. Next, Daniel recognized that the people of Israel were getting exactly what they deserved because of their disobedience and lack of trust in God. Then Daniel asked God to show mercy and turn his anger away from the sinful Israelites.

While Daniel continued to pray, a most amazing thing happened: The angel Gabriel appeared before him. The angel told Daniel his prayer had caused God to issue a message concerning one of Daniel's visions. God was also pleased with Daniel's devotion to prayer. And Gabriel even told Daniel that God loved him very much. Literally, Daniel was an object of God's delight.

Daniel was a humble man, and that meek spirit came across in his times alone with God. He was quick to repent, and he had a strong desire to seek God in all situations. Daniel was known for his character and integrity, and those qualities were strenghtened through his prayer life. Daniel's pryaers stirred the heart of his heavenly Father, who expressed both love and delight for his humble servant.