From Rubble to RestorationSample

Ask Big

Remember those childhood days of sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what you wanted for Christmas?  The sky was the limit.  As kids, we never put limits on what we asked Santa because we knew he would deliver. We’d ask for expensive things, big or small, practical or not.  We asked because we could.  We always believed we’d receive what we asked.  But how often do we ever ask big of God?

Today’s reading from Nehemiah takes place when he is serving in the Persian king’s court.  Nehemiah is troubled that his homeland Jerusalem lies in ruin.  He couldn’t hide his feelings too well because the king noticed his frowny face.  So his boss throws the door wide open for Nehemiah to tell him what is bothering him. 

“Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.’”   Nehemiah 2:5

I love that he stopped for a moment, no matter how brief, and prayed before answering. And the king was happy to grant it.  But Nehemiah didn’t stop there.  He continued to ask for more – to ask BIG!  He requested help for safe passage and for building materials.

No matter what is your problem, no matter who stands in the way, there is no request too big for our God.  He loves it when his children ask Him for help.  He wants to heal us.  He wants to encourage us.  He wants us to seek Him for everything.  Jesus even reminds us to ask big:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7

Questions:

1.  If you could ask God for anything, what would you ask?

2.  Do you think God is able to help you with your challenge?  Is he able to heal you from your sickness?

3.  There’s the saying “God helps those who help themselves.”  Do you find yourself trying to take care of your obstacles on your own and not trusting them to God?