Here in today's reading we begin the inspiring story of Nehemiah, who, when he heard about the broken down walls of Jerusalem, sat down and wept and cried out to God for a way to rebuild the walls.
Who was Nehemiah? He was one of the Hebrew exiles, who had been given a position of influence with the king in the Persian court. In fact, he was the cupbearer to the king, but not only that, he had become a friend of the king. However, although surrounded by the splendor of the palace, he did not forget God or his people. His heart was grieved. And he began to pray.
In Prophets and Kings we read the following:
"Nehemiah had often poured out his soul in behalf of his people. But now as he prayed a holy purpose formed in his mind. He resolved that if he could obtain the consent of the king, and the necessary aid in procuring implements and material, he would himself undertake the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and restoring Israel’s national strength. And he asked the Lord to grant him favor in the sight of the king, that this plan might be carried out. “Prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day,” he entreated, “and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."
Four months Nehemiah waited for a favorable opportunity to present his request to the king. During this time, though his heart was heavy with grief, he endeavored to bear himself with cheerfulness in the royal presence. In those halls of luxury and splendor all must appear light-hearted and happy. Distress must not cast its shadow over the countenance of any attendant of royalty. But in Nehemiah’s seasons of retirement, concealed from human sight, many were the prayers, the confessions, the tears, heard and witnessed by God and angels.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 629)
At last the opportunity came to share his burden with the king... but even then Nehemiah was trembling, and prayed quickly to God again before he gave his request to the king, for the king could have easily turned against Nehemiah claiming that he was not being loyal to his throne. But God heard Nehemiah's prayer and moved upon the king's heart...
“For what dost thou make request?” [the king asked] But the man of God did not venture to reply till he had sought direction from One higher than Artaxerxes. He had a sacred trust to fulfill, in which he required help from the king; and he realized that much depended upon his presenting the matter in such a way as to win his approval and enlist his aid. “I prayed,” he said, “to the God of heaven.” In that brief prayer Nehemiah pressed into the presence of the King of kings and won to his side a power that can turn hearts as the rivers of waters are turned.
To pray as Nehemiah prayed in his hour of need is a resource at the command of the Christian under circumstances when other forms of prayer may be impossible. Toilers in the busy walks of life, crowded and almost overwhelmed with perplexity, can send up a petition to God for divine guidance. Travelers by sea and land, when threatened with some great danger, can thus commit themselves to Heaven’s protection. In times of sudden difficulty or peril the heart may send up its cry for help to One who has pledged Himself to come to the aid of His faithful, believing ones whenever they call upon Him. In every circumstance, under every condition, the soul weighed down with grief and care, or fiercely assailed by temptation, may find assurance, support, and succor in the unfailing love and power of a covenant-keeping God.
Nehemiah, in that brief moment of prayer to the King of kings, gathered courage to tell Artaxerxes of his desire to be released for a time from his duties at the court, and he asked for authority to build up the waste places of Jerusalem and to make it once more a strong and defensed city. Momentous results to the Jewish nation hung upon this request. “And,” Nehemiah declares, “the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 631-632)That quick prayer to God brought the help of heaven when Nehemiah had his opportunity. But I daresay, the power of that short prayer came from the longer hours of prayer, crying, and weeping that had preceded it. Valuable lessons for our prayer life today!
Looking forward to more spiritual lessons in the coming days as we continue to study Nehemiah's testimony.
Tomorrow's Reading: Neh. 3-4 and Luke 6
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