Friday
Read: Nehemiah 1:5–11
SAOP: Nehemiah 1:11
“Please, Lord, listen attentively to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respect to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to me in the presence of this man.” Now I was cupbearer for the king.
Into the Text
As we conclude our study on the Book of Nehemiah, we’re taking a look back at the introduction to these events. When Nehemiah heard of the plight of God’s people and the state of Jerusalem’s walls, he was distraught. He would not let God’s name be dishonored because of the way His people and His city had been treated. Nehemiah faithfully prayed and asked God for wisdom and help.
Nehemiah asked God for only a few specific things. He asked God to recall His promise, a promise to both punish His people if they were unfaithful and to gather His people back if they repented. He asked God to listen to his prayer and grant him success as he went before the king.
God, of course, answered all of Nehemiah’s requests. He gave him great success with the king, granting him the freedom to go to Jerusalem to complete the work. God listened to Nehemiah’s prayer, hearing his pleas for His people and the city of God. And God gathered His people and re-established His covenant with them.
But God did so much more. He allowed Nehemiah to witness the true restoration of His people. God granted Nehemiah the great blessing of seeing both the wall of Jerusalem rebuilt and the hearts of the people restored to God. When Nehemiah wept and pleaded with God over His people, he had no idea about all God had in store.
No matter what you’re facing, you, too, can present your requests to God. He is loving, gracious, and compassionate, and He hears all our prayers. He does not always answer in the way we hope He will, but He does always answer. We can remember His faithfulness in the past to Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem as a model and a promise of His faithfulness to us today. May we boldly come to God in prayer and reflect on His goodness and faithfulness after He has completed His incredible work. For He alone is the great and awesome God who keeps His loving covenant with those who love Him and obey His commands.