As cup bearer to the king, Nehemiah showed he was honest, trustworthy, and hardworking. As a leader of the Jewish people, he is showing both people skills and problem solving skills.
I'd like to ask for some comments from y'all today. We've had some good discussions and comments on previous posts.
We studied and saw that there is a line between too little planning and too much. There's a common sense kind of division between "well, let's just trust God to solve this problem," and "let's make plans with God's help."
When do we cross that line, either personally or in a group setting? What is proper planning and what is excessive planning? What factors can we watch for, so that we are relying on God, not simply relying on the plans we have made?
I look forward to hearing from some of you!
I do think God gave us the ability to make decisions - some are better maybe at making good ones than others! We are not mindless robots. I also think the Bible makes it clear that the decisions one makes can only be done successfully if the individual is committed to follow (and stays close to) the Lord. Reminds me of the hymn "God leads us along" written by George A Young after he lost his family in a terrible fire. The chorus goes:
ReplyDeleteSome through the waters, some through the flood
Some through the fire, but all through the blood
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song
In the night season and all the day long.
We can only be led along if we are His child. So when bad things happen we can still say "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2Tim 1:12 It's not easy, by golly, but it is the only way. Nehemiah was a terrific example as were so many others written about in the Bible.
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ReplyDeleteI think the primary thing we need in order to make right decisions is to know the word of God so that we can know what is permissible and what is not. If the plan we are considering breaks God’s laws or guidelines, then we know not to do it. The next thing we need to know is ourselves and our abilities and strengths and weaknesses and that is so much harder. For example.... I’d like to make plans to go on a ladies quilting retreat. There is nothing sinful or against God’s law or principles in this retreat. It will be a great time of friendship and lots of sewing and quilting time. Sounds good, sounds like it would be a good plan, and initially I really want to go but on further reflection why wouldn’t it be a good plan for me? This is where knowing oneself comes in..... I don’t like highway driving and it would require that to get there. I have difficulty sleeping and require medication at night to do it so rising in the morning would be difficult and the retreat would involve early mornings. I’m an introvert and quite shy and have difficulty in situations with large numbers of people I don’t know. And the one thing that may perhaps go against God’s guidelines and commands is that it would mean being away from home and Church on Sunday. So though there is nothing wrong with going to the retreat, the plans I would make to go to it would not be a good idea... for me, especially giving being away on the Sabbath.
ReplyDelete