In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “and it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence”, and in chapter two and verse two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the king asked him, “Why is your countenance sad, seeing you are not sick?”, where we read,
Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is your countenance sad, seeing you are not sick?
this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
The verse reads, “Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is your countenance sad, seeing you are not sick?” Nehemiah began with the words, “wherefore the king” or “therefore, then and on this account the royal ruler and leader” “said unto me” which means “uttered, declared, proclaimed to and asked me, Nehemiah”, “why is your countenance sad” or “for what reason and cause does your, Nehemiah's, face and front show bad, disagreeableness, malignancy and unpleasantness”, “seeing you are not sick?” which means “since and in no way do you, Nehemiah, exist as diseased, wounded or with infirmity”? Nehemiah shared how the royal ruler asked him for what reason his face was showing displeasure and sadness because he knew Nehemiah was not ill.
The verse continues, “ this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,” Nehemiah added the words, “this is nothing else” or “the present state of Nehemiah existed as not anything” “but sorrow of heart” which means “except badness, sadness and unhappiness belonging to the soul, mind, will, desires and seat of emotions and passions”.“Then I was very sore afraid” or “at that time I, Nehemiah, existed as exceedingly and abundantly increased and multiplied with reverence, honor, respect and fear”. Nehemiah shared how the royal ruler knew that the sadness upon Nehemiah's face was because he was unhappy within his soul, and Nehemiah became exceeding reverent and fearful toward the “king”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the “king” questioned the reason that his face was so sad. Those who served the “king” were never to be “sad” within his presence, and when the royal ruler noticed Nehemiah's countenance, the outcome could have been very different for him. This was God's plan for Israel, and even though the current conditions for Nehemiah were troubling, God was going to use this time to motivate him in His service. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. He proved His love to us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He was resurrected from the dead three days later, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and use our countenances and emotions to motivate us into His purpose and will.
Next time Nehemiah asks the king, “should not my countenance be sad?” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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