Sleeves and Arrow Prayers
2Sam22/ Nehemiah 2 “Sleeves and Arrow Prayers”
Sometimes like Nehemiah and Timothy we face the same presence of fear which is revealed in our countenance. While Timothy lived centuries later the advice is the same: 2Ti 1:7For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Four months into Nehemiah’s fasting and praying regimen he entered the king’s presence. Now either Nehemiah felt it was time for God to act and he chose to step out in faith or the king was just plain perceptive. Whatever it was the king was alarmed at Nehemiah’s countenance which he perceived as sadness of heart. Truly we often wear our heart on our sleeve exposing our emotions and making ourselves vulnerable. Children do the same. Be alert to their countenance just as this king was to Nehemiah’s countenance.
Like this king, we have the power of life and death to a child’s reaction and actions as we act and react. Nehemiah, as the king’s cupbearer knew this too well. Nehemiah thought he had covered his emotions but like children who also try to hide their emotions, he was unsuccessful. Watch and be aware of children’s emotions and countenances.
But once the door was open Nehemiah did what was very ordinary to him: he prayed to the God of heaven. We want our children to do the same. Perhaps, Nehemiah, in his quiet time he had come across God’s challenge to Moses: “Who gave a mouth to man…is it not I the Lord?” and memorized those words for such a time as this. Nehemiah was saying in his heart; God you can do this; I am your servant! We want our children to do the same. Praying should be to them like breathing and we set the example when we too face fearful times and face them with our arrow prayers.
Nehemiah had studied the scriptures. He knew the words of David: “In my distress I called to the
sonshine
Coordinator of the Heartprints Blog Page: Gaye-Ellen Austin or SonShine has a passion to train people to be successful Bible students, following the words of Paul to his protégé Timothy: “ entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.” (2 Tim 2:2). She taught 15 years in public schools and 12 years in a Christian school where she was coordinator of the NILD program for learning disabled students. She has taught Precept upon Precept classes and was a discussion group leader for 10+ yrs. in BSF in Daytona Beach. Fl. and Atlanta, GA. Also, Gaye-Ellen is the writer for the https://www.facebook.com/bible.org/ She also has her own personal blog page: https://sonshinesjournal.com/ David is a full time director for Bible.org as well as his secular job. He and Gaye-Ellen along with their son, Dr. Mark Austin, daughter-in-law, Dr. Blanca Austin and granddaughter Christina (https://christinaaustinlopez.com.) live in the Dallas area. Gaye-Ellen's goal is to present Christ and live Christ glorifying God. One of her favorite verses about the role as parents, teachers, and adults for the next generation comes from Psalm 78:4, "but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord."
