Steer Near or Steer Clear?
Words of Faith 6-5-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Nehemiah 2
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; [2] so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, [3] but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" [4] The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, [5] and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it." [6] Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

Have you ever had someone come into the office or a workplace that seemed to have a cloud over them? Clearly, something was wrong with Nehemiah when he came into the presence of the King that day. Nehemiah had developed a good relationship with his boss, the King. Apparently, he was a good, cheerful worker who brought a positive attitude to his duties. So when Nehemiah showed up for work after a time of intense prayer, it was obvious that something was up. His face was sad, and his heart was heavy for those hurting in Jerusalem. Nehemiah's boss sensed that something was wrong.

Now, if Nehemiah had been a complainer— always whining about something— his boss would never have even noticed the heavy concern in his heart. But Nehemiah had always been cheerful and positive in his service. He had always given his very best in the place where God had put him. It was obvious that something was wrong, and the boss wanted to know what it was.

Nehemiah waited for just the right time to share the vision that God had given him— the rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem. Nehemiah did not run ahead of God by dashing to Jerusalem, nor did he blurt out the concern of his heart. He waited and then shared the vision with a prayer under his breath. The response was more than anyone might have hoped for.

Nehemiah’s example gives us pause to examine our own working relationships. How are the relationships around you today? Do you have a boss? Most of us do. Your boss might be a business owner, manager, commanding officer, supervisor, parent, pastor, teacher, professor, or department head. Here is a question: If God made your heart burdened with a need or vision, would your boss notice? Or would it just appear that you were having "another bad day"? If your face was sad, would your boss draw near or steer clear? Are you preparing the way for God to influence you in the future?

What about your co-workers? Would they notice if you were burdened with a concern from the Lord? Or would they dismiss your countenance as just the usual bad day? It is a significant question.

Maybe you are a boss. Do you have people you supervise? Workers, students, children, or even a friend you guide? Are you sensitive to the call of God in their lives? Do you notice when they are burdened? Do you notice when they carry a concern that God may be bringing up in their lives? Are you prepared to help them find the path and destiny that the Lord may have for them?

We really never know when God will want to use us toward a goal He has in mind. He may use us directly, through the encouragement of another, or through you, providing the resources and materials needed. When that leading comes, we need to draw near rather than steer clear.

Lord, help me today with the relationships You have entrusted to me. Give me grace to serve faithfully so that if I am burdened with your call, it will be evident to those around me. Give me grace to be sensitive to the call of God in the lives of those around me that I may be of help. Use me today, if only in some small way, as Your instrument to heal some of the brokenness in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.