Stress Test Devotional April 20
April 20, 2024
NEHEMIAH 2:1-5 | In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was served him, I carried the wine and gave it to the king. Now, I had never been sad in his presence before. So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This can only be sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors’ graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.”
After praying Nehemiah got practical. He appeals to the king for permission to go and inspect the damage. He surveys the city. He seeks resources and support for the coming restoration— permission, plans, and resources.
In the same way, we have assessed our campus and ministries, planned, and sought permission to rebuild here at VPC. The spiritual and the practical have to unite to build God’s kingdom.
Pray for our Building Committee, Architect, and our builder.
Why not continue this prayer until we are done with construction?
