written by Daniel Turner
When I read Nehemiah chapter 2, a few things really stick out to me. First, how Nehemiah continues to place such a high importance on prayer. In verses 2-4 he is standing before the king “much afraid” and the king asks him, “What is it you want?”, Nehemiah prayed before answering the king.
I can just imagine Nehemiah standing there scared and nervous wreck. As a servant of the king, he was not supposed to show sadness or concern for anything around the king and he was about to present a request to the king on behalf of God’s people. I can just see him standing there silently praying to God for the right words, for strength or wisdom. It makes me see the importance of giving my anxieties over to God in the midst of adversity. Saying, “God you got this, help me, Father”. What an amazing gift we have that our Almighty God hears us when we talk to him. He comforts us and strengthens us in times of need.
Jesus said in John 15:7-8 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” So, if we ask God for things that are in accordance with his will, we will receive them and bear fruit. That’s Awesome.
As we read on down through Nehemiah 2, we see that king Artaxerxes was pleased to send Nehemiah to Judah. He sent him along with the letters to grant him safe passage and letters to the Keeper of the Royal Park. These letters telling him to provide the materials needed to rebuild the walls.
Then Nehemiah went to work. He traveled to Jerusalem, assessed the work that needed to be done, and went to the people.
Nehemiah 2:17-18 “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.” In these verses, Nehemiah addresses the needs, rallies the people for rebuilding the wall, and gives God all the glory for stirring the heart of the king. The people then responded by saying, “Let us start rebuilding!”
As soon as they began the good work they were ridiculed and mocked by some local officials. Nehemiah never checked up, he had faith in God. He told them, “The God of Heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding”.
We have been called to do good work. Let’s join together in prayer for our projects on March 3rd. Let’s pray in confidence for the hearts of the families we work for to be stirred, for obstacles to be overcome, and for the volunteers to be plentiful. Let’s know that the God of Heaven will give us success as we give him all the glory. On March 3rd, as his servants will start rebuilding.
