[Nehemiah 1:2-3] ² Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. ³ They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

What are the walls in your life that are broken down that are causing you to be worried or anxious? Marriage, kids, job, not having a job, finances, uncertain future?

[Nehemiah 1:4] ⁴ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah’s FIRST response to the problem was to immediately take it to God.

Big problems reveal where we find our security.

[Psalm 55:22] ²² Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

[Isaiah 41:10] ¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

[Philippians 4:6] ⁶Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…

[1 Peter 5:7] ⁷Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

Nehemiah’s 2^nd response to the problem was to take action.

[Nehemiah 2:2-5] ³ So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, ³ but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” ⁴ The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, ⁵ I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

What if God’s plan is not to rescue you but to carry you through the problem!

The evidence of God’s goodness isn’t God removing the problem. The evidence of God’s goodness is God go through the problem with you!

[Nehemiah 2:8] And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

Nehemiah’s 3^rd response to the problem was to ask for help.

[Nehemiah 2:17-18] ¹⁷But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” ¹⁸ Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.

They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

[Ecclesiastes 4:9-12] ⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

[Nehemiah 6:15-16] ¹⁵ So on October 2^nd the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. ¹⁶ When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated.  They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.