Pastor Josh Rhone preaches on January 15, 2023, at Zion Church, a United Methodist congregation, in York, Pennsylvania. This weekend we look at Nehemiah 2.9-20. The walls and gates of Jerusalem lie in ruin. Nehemiah is cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, of Persia. Although he was born in captivity and despite having never been to Jerusalem, Nehemiah's heart breaks over the brokenness that has been reported. God stirs his heart. Nehemiah has the courage to care. He not only weeps over the situation and cries out to God, but he experiences God's leading. So he, with vulnerability, shares his concern with the king; requests safe passage and supplies; and has the courage to leave all behind to go. In today's Scripture, Nehemiah journeys to Jerusalem and, in so doing, faces opposition. Yet, he doesn't allow the opposition to get the better of him and he doesn't allow the opposition to stop him in his tracks. Today, we'll talk about some practice ways that we, with faith, can face and overcome the opposition that we face.

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