Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-10
Nehemiah S Prayer Is
Answered by God
Sermon ny
REV. FLOYD W. TOMkINS.
Text: Seh. 81. Ill.
Text: Neii. 81. Ill.

'iod always answers prayers. and
often iie uses human agencies to fulfill
MS viii. He led Cyrus TO permit the
lows to return from their captivity IN
Babylon SO now He moved ArtaHerXes
l" grant Nchemiah's request. and 80 the
way was prepared for the rebuilding
"t the walls Of Jerusalem. on. that
had now the spiri, of prayer that the
worlds enemy might be defeated and
righteousness and liberty To live he
made possible for all nations and
peoples II only had Moses 10
pray while the war is being pressed.
VINO can say what the result would
be- II was because Nehemiah Mas ~
earnest and prayed fervcntly that the
hinSs heart WAS favorably inclined
and the force OF leaders and Wornmen
allowed to start for Jerusalem.
1t was no easy thing for an Eastern
monarch TO respond 10 an appeal from
his subjects. especially IL those MAX
ING tn" appeal we're aliens. .triaHcrNcs,
Ike his predecessors aud Successors.
was an aut"crat OF the strongest kind.
lie Was supreme and his word Mas law.
II is hard for vs. ia America. with our
principles OF individual freedom. 20
comprehend how any people in Nehe-
mtahs time would submit 10 the dc
tdrIon OF one man Y"t Ne are having
IN Illustration OF Il today in this
aar. and ;hat is what makes the war
such ii strange combination Of modern
powers with ancient custom, supposed
Z" nave been driven out b. civilization
battle Of the ages. JUST the old
places associated with Abraham and
samson are now being bcs.cGed hy the
allies. so Nc arc hGn'inE for human
emancipation from awful tyranny.
There can be- under God. but orc re-
suit. but No must realize the severity
Of the struggle and call upon God for
help.
Uses ALL his GIFTS
ron SERVICE or GOD
Noticc. first. thu, Nehemiah used his
position the Kings cupb.ar"r
means 10 bring about tn" rebuilding
Of Jerusalem Whatever God gives vs.
OF influence and intelligence. Ice IL little
or much. SHOULD be conseCratcd 20
Gods service lu Tho righteous welfare
Of mank. ud. iody and mind. position
and place. arc not sor personal pleasing,
hut for IN" glory Of cod Your
strength, your power TO think. your
home and your friendships arc all yours
tr use In Gods service. not 10 he held
as selfish blessings II YOU have "au'y.
III - trust hy which The world should
prcIt In an advance toward l-rtcct
Vufity and holiness. II you have
friends you should count The mas aids
toward common fr,cudiinccs If you
have nor". j. IS Tor YOU 20 use !, 20
MAKE thc World happier Everything
tnus oonsccratcd. Nehemiah did no,-
Story IN his high place % honor. but
me used IL for his peoples good. :!c
seems to have had wealth, hu, ne saved
ii in Anticipation OF tho great wora
uppu which his mind hnd been l'1S
nN"d. ThcrH was ju.t or.c thing he do
sired % do. and All was pressed into
that one service. % -. Pau! cried,
This one thing do"
The Eastern monarchs were shielded
from all mat could disturb them. Ugly
things sad things, troubles and sor-
IuNE Mere KEEP, from them. When the
King saw Nehemiah with It sad Counte-
uauc" Wait anon him he was SURPRISED.
ana til" dAuGcr Was h. might b" Of
fcudcd ", Nehemiah ho!lly toid the
story Of his !-orrrw and It's meaning.
trusting in God 20 care for him. Prob
ably tn, way. also. had been prepared
Tor an appeal Ari1NcrXcs's father.
NcrNes. had married Esther. a Icw"ss.
MOrdcca! had b"cu his Prime Minister.
The tradition OF Daniel also had pre-
disposcd the uouarChs OF that era TO
The jewish race
con Uses VARIOUS MEANS
no ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK
20 God uses various means 10 ac-
.oupnsh Has work. love to think u:
lhis interview 81 N.hom!o IN with the
Ming II" was brave - Esther was
brave. because II. trusted God and be
cause he knew h!s plea was pleasing
10 cod We can he full %! courage
when We know that our whole desire
is 30 10 Gods viii and to make His
righteousness the power 20 contro!
mems livc~.
Moreover, Nehemiah knew Just what
he wanted. During tho weeks before
he made his appeal 20 the king he
probably planned JUS; what should be
done. 50 IN" had something definite 10
ask for. fear our prayers TO God are
g. go, 81
when We pray Just what we need. We
must. indeed. remember that God knows
better than We what we need; hut also
VIC should be clear in our minds as to
our need Of His he!p and frankly tell
Him, with submission, that this or that
is our desire. Definite prayer is a great
thing. To know myself and my hunger
Of soul, 10 know the needs OF others
and long for blessing TO rest upon
them proves TO God that NC arc in
earnest and that We are ready to do
our par: whatever He asks OF us
to aid IN tho tulflmcut Of Ills wise and
loving Viii.
When the King asked. For what dos;
thou make thy request" Nehemiah tells
ms he prayed 10 tho God OF Heaven"
That is. he prayed in his heart. an
ciaculatory prayer. How often we do
the same Even wicked men. all uu-
consciously. when they swear arc cx-
pressing their reliance upon Cod In
sudden danger We cry. Cod. help met
and all through the day. when We are
oppressed by many duties and rcSpOn-
sih!litics u liGhtcns the way and gives
as new strength and courage TO lift up
our hearta to Him who knows and cares
aud loves
CONSTANT RELIANCE on GOD
IL TRUE Spirit OF PRAYER
This is really tho ;ruc spiri: Of pray
Ct. 1t is not merely or chiefly at spc-
cidi times OF devotion. in church or at
our bedside, that VIC learn the blessed
comfort Of prayer. Rather is it tho
constant reliance upon God and tho as
surancc of His presence and interest
and the frequent looking up 10 Him
that prove our praycr-spirit. Pray
without ccasinG." says the apostle. And
David said. II pray instantly" that ia
constantly. Oh. If we only knew how
near God is TO us, VIC would rest upon
Him, lean hard upon Him" bring our
hourly needs 10 Him No wondc.
%chcmiah could sneak boldly when he
felt he had called upon his God FOR
strength. yes. and FOR the very words
i'm which he should make his appeal
The ansWc: was generous one. with