Nehemiah 2:1-8 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… This kind is a short petition, hurled like a dart at its mark. I. WHEN? In critical junctures. 1. Before choice. 2. Before sudden action. 3. In danger. (The sinking Peter.) II. WHY? 1. Because critical junctures admit of no other kind. 2. Because it leads to wisdom (Proverbs 3:6). 3. Because it tranquilises the mind. 4. Because it would prevent sudden action. III. HOW? 1. Do we pray at all? 2. Do we cultivate the spirit of prayer? (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 3. Do occasions arise for ejaculatory prayer? 4. Would it help us when buying or selling, when making calls and tempted to gossip or tell "white lies"? (L. O. Thompson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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