Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.’ I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:11, NIV

 

Nehemiah, like Ezra, was a remarkable servant of God, whose integrity remained intact in exile, despite the circumstances; he didn’t turn away, but steadfastly continued to pray and trust God in Babylon. He so impressed the king that he trusted him, a defeated foe, with the honour of being his cupbearer – which also served God’s purposes, as things turned out.

 

Nehemiah had no means of seeing what had taken place in Jerusalem since he’d left, or how the remnant was that had survived, after the exile to Babylon, but one day, he received word that the people back home were, “in great trouble and disgrace”; that the wall had been “broken down” and its gates “burned with fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3)

Horrified, Nehemiah went straight to “the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4) weeping, mourning and fasting as he prayed for Jerusalem in her need.

 

With deep faith that He still cared about Jerusalem, Nehemiah firstly acknowledged God’s majesty and might, and then confessed Judah’s sin – including his own – and his family’s; he acknowledged that they had been scattered because they’d been unfaithful to His commands. Nevertheless, Nehemiah reminded God that they were people that He had redeemed, and whom He’d promised to bring back to the place He’d chosen “as a dwelling for His Name.” (Nehemiah 1:9)

 

As he prayed, God impressed on him the need to return to Jerusalem to help his people fix the gates and rebuild the walls, and he asked God, in the words of our verse, to give “him favour in the presence of this man”, the king. Imagine the faith needed for the size of the request, which may alter our perspective on what we can ask of God. God didn’t, in any way, disappoint His faithful servant, who had even quietly prayed for wisdom while the king awaited his response to a question.

 

Humility rewarded, he not only found favour in the king’s permission to return to help his people, but, as Ezra experienced, God gave him so much more besides.

 

As he sets off for Jerusalem, he carries royal letters to ensure his safe travel; an authorisation for timber from the royal park to fix the gates, the wall, and equip his own personal residence; and if that isn’t enough, “the king had also sent army officers and cavalry” to accompany him, (Nehemiah 2.9) which he acknowledges as, “the gracious hand of my God was on me." (Nehemiah 2:8)

 

Nehemiah’s simple faith enabled God to use him significantly in Jerusalem in a most unexpected and rewarding way, and paints the picture of a fruitful vine in action, a graphic reminder of the importance of Jesus’ words. Jesus promises His followers, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

 

Prayer: Gracious Father, “You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6) Give me simple faith that I may serve You steadfastly wherever I am. Amen