As we continue our reading in Nehemiah today, chapter two opens four months after chapter one begins. Here's where we see the result of Nehemiah's prayer in chapter one and the result of prayers he prayed and plans he made over these four months.
When King Artaxerxes notices Nehemiah is sad, Nehemiah is prepared to tell his story. It was unusual for Nehemiah to show this emotion in front of the King...and equally unusual for Artaxerxes to care enough to ask. Kings aren't usually too concerned with what is going on with their servants and appearing before the King with a downcast countenance could mean severe consequences. Nehemiah wouldn't have been able to take that risk without praying about it first.
Nehemiah describes the scene in his homeland, and Artaxerxes immediately asks him what he wants. Answering this question is risky too because Artaxerxes could have laughed at Nehemiah's concerns or denied his requests. Nehemiah asks for three things: 1) permission to go to Jerusalem to repair the city, 2) letters of safe conduct, and 3) letters requesting building materials. Nehemiah was only able to make these requests because he was emboldened by his time of prayer. Artaxerxes granted these requests and threw in some army officers and cavalry for protection too!
And so Nehemiah sets out on his journey to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah risked his position by appearing sad in front of the King. He risked his life by making bold requests of the King. And he risked his reputation by following through with God's plan. At any place in this timeline, the King could have refused Nehemiah's request, banished him from the King's presence, or had him killed. But because he was all "prayed up," he really had nothing to fear.
Where is God calling you to take a risk for him? Are you prayed up enough to step out on faith and take a risk? Let's pray for God to show us where we need to step out and stand on the prayers we have been praying!
- Holly Barrett
No comments:
Post a Comment