“O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of this Your servant and to the prayer of all Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Grant Your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man
I was cupbearer to the king”’ (Neh 1:11)
Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem and God’s Temple are fallen down. The remnant left behind was in ‘trouble and disgrace’. These words meant great sorrow, the shame of nakedness and despair cause by rape, by evil.
The walls of Jerusalem are broken down; its gates are burned with fire. It is a picture of total defeat. The reason for this total humiliation is because the people of God sinned against Him. The curses of disobedience are as real as the blessings coming on those who obey His Commands.
Nehemiah is in exile. He is the cupbearer of the king of Persia. He decided to do something about the situation. The first thing he does is to pray. Prayer is always the first thing!!! He confesses the sins of his people. He then pleads God’s promise of restoration. Please remember, restoration is God’s great work!!! God chastises His children when they sin, but He never completely abandons them. After they humble themselves, He creates ways to bring them back to Himself.
Nehemiah decides to go to the pagan king he serves. He prays to Jehovah for two things: one is success and the second is favor. The word ‘success’ means a profitable discussion, something that will end in practical benefits. Nehemiah does not want just greetings and an exchange of pleasantries. He needs help and money from a rich man who can provide that. The king is pagan but Nehemiah has faith that God can change any man.
Nehemiah also asks God for favor with the king. The word ‘favor’ is a very interesting word; it means the womb, the deep center of a mother’s mercy and loving compassion towards her unborn child. In other words, Nehemiah is asking God to grant a supernatural touch to the pagan king in such a way that he will fall in love and adopt this ‘baby’, the project to reconstruct Jerusalem. God answers his prayer and the pagan kings of Persia, one after another, sponsor the whole ‘contract’ to rebuild God’s house. He personally went to Jerusalem and supervised the work.
The great work of rebuilding Jerusalem and God’s temple and the coming back to the exiled Jews started with the prayer of this man Nehemiah and he desire to be part of God’s answer.
Are you willing to pray and to work like Nehemiah?
May your faith increase to trust God to use anybody, including the unbelievers, to sponsor His great work and your ministry!
May God bless them who bless you!
In Jesus name, amen!