The Old Testament Teaches Us How to Cast Cares Upon God (Romans 15:4)
Introduction:
1. According to this verse, the Old Testament Scriptures are a great source of: a. knowledge [they "were written for our learning"] b. hope. 2. As we pointed out this morning, many of the instructions given to us in the New Testament are illustrated in the Old Testament. 3. We are especially interested in the instructions given in 1 Peter 5:6-7. 4. In our lesson we are examining the life of Nehemiah. 5. He developed the practice of casting his cares upon God many years before Peter wrote his letters.
Discussion:
I. NEHEMIAH IS INTRODUCED IN NEHEMIAH 1:1-4a
A. Nehemiah was serving as the king's cupbearer in Persia when his brother and some other men from Judah visited him. B. Nehemiah learned about the condition of Jerusalem, and he became upset. C. At this point Nehemiah had some cares on his mind.
II. NEHEMIAH RESPONDED BY CASTING HIS CARES UPON GOD (NEHEMIAH 1:4b-11)
III. NEHEMIAH CONTINUED CASTING HIS CARES UPON GOD:
A. before asking the king to send him to Jerusalem so he could rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:4b) B. after the enemies of the Jews ridiculed them (Nehemiah 4:4-5) C. when the enemies of the Jews conspired against them (Nehemiah 4:9) D. after settling the interest problem (Nehemiah 5:19) E. when the enemies of the Jews tried to slander him (Nehemiah 6:9) F. when a false prophecy was made against him (Nehemiah 6:14) G. after cleansing the temple (Nehemiah 13:14) H. after stopping unlawful activities on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:22) I. after rebuking the Jews for marrying foreign wives (Nehemiah 13:29) J. after cleansing the priests and the Levites (Nehemiah 13:31b).
Conclusion:
1. Did Nehemiah humble himself under God's mighty hand? 2. Did God exalt Nehemiah in due time? 3. Did Nehemiah cast all of his care upon God? 4. Did God show that He cared for Nehemiah? 5. The Old Testament was written for our learning, and it teaches us how to cast our cares upon God. 6. Let us remember and follow Nehemiah's example.
