“And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.” Nehemiah 2:8
Dear Ones:
Shushan, or Susa, was an ancient capital of the Persian empire. Nehemiah, who was in the service of the king of Persia, was a very long way from Jerusalem. And yet, his heart for some reason yearned to return there, specifically to rebuild the walls of the city which had been destroyed. The Jews who were with him in Shushan certainly knew their history, and also the word of God with regard to the deportation, and God’s promises of restoration. It is for these reasons that Nehemiah, along with the other Jews, began to pray and fast, “…before the God of heaven.” (Neh. 1:4) God so worked in their hearts, that out of their intercession, faith was born to seek God for the impossible. Because of the great distance between Jerusalem and Shushan, not to mention that Nehemiah was only a servant, cupbearer, in the service of the king, there were no resources, nor the liberty and authority, to undertake such an enterprise. It is then, in answer to prayer, that the very evidence of the hand of God revealed itself as being on Nehemiah, and the people. There would come a day, an hour, in prayer, by Nehemiah and the people, that they would pray specifically: “O Lord, I beseech Thee, let Thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants, who desire to fear Thy name: and prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant THIS DAY, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.” (1:11) The seeking of God in prayer concerning the “great affliction and reproach” of the people who had survived the captivity in Jerusalem, resulted in “a way” by which the walls could be rebuilt, even though, from a human standpoint, it was impossible. There was born in the heart and mind of Nehemiah a plan by which, if he could obtain audience with the king, and the specific commission by the king, he would be able to return to Jerusalem with resources to rebuild the wall. Bold was his plan, and great was his expectation. He now needed the opportunity, one which God alone could give him, one where the hand of God would be upon him to prosper his work, and grant him success. God would give him that open door with the king, and all would know and be persuaded of it.
If we are to find a key to the issue of the hand of God being upon Nehemiah for good, we need not look further than the matter of prayer. Even before the king, when he was called out by the king for being sad in his presence, and then told to speak his request to the king, Nehemiah writes, “So, I prayed to the God of heaven.” (2:4) Why was Nehemiah such a man of prayer, instant in prayer? It is because he was keenly aware and convinced of his own helplessness. That which he was to ask the king would be an impossible request, as he was certainly going far beyond what his position, and station, before the king warranted. But he requested it boldly, because he had prayed, and God had given him the strength to ask. God also intervened by giving him favor in the eyes of the king, who basically committed to him his own authority, along with the necessary resources, to rebuild the wall. So, the cupbearer of the king, would leave the palace that day overwhelmed by the goodness of God, and the very confirmation and provision by God, as a result of prayer.
When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, he met with rulers of the remnant, and told them, “…of the hand of my God which was good upon me.” (2:18) By his testimony, their hands were strengthened, and their hearts were engaged to begin this good work. What was the confidence of Nehemiah? “The God of heaven, He will prosper us.” (v.20)
Dear Father, Thou blessed God of Nehemiah, who hears prayer, grant us to pray and believe Thee for the impossible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad