Pray and Work, the Inspiring Example of NehemiahSample

A special position gives a special responsibility

“O Lord, […] give success to Your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:11)

Nehemiah concluded his prayer by asking God to grant him mercy in the sight of King Artaxerxes. For, it says as an explanation for us readers, Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer — one of the highest offices in the Persian court. A cupbearer had very regular contact with the king. So he was in a position to make a request to the king, in this case for royal support for the people of Jerusalem. At the same time, Nehemiah was just a servant. If he asked for something the king did not approve of, his career and perhaps even his life were at risk. That risk was real, since Nehemiah's request for help for the people of Israel would go against an earlier decision by the king that Jerusalem should not be rebuilt (see Ezra 4:17-23).

No wonder Nehemiah was troubled by this responsibility. He could possibly help his people by approaching the king, but his attempt could easily end in failure.

We see a similar situation with Queen Esther. She pleaded at the risk of her life for the good of her people. For, her uncle implored her, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

What do you think? Do people who have the opportunity to help others also have the responsibility to do so? And what if they themselves are at risk by helping?