Nehemiah: Rebuilding the WallsSample

Like Nehemiah, as we pray, we might find ourselves stirred to action, called to bring light where there is darkness, healing where there is pain, and restoration where there is brokenness. We can learn from Nehemiah as we respond to this call. In his sorrow, and as he prayed and sought after God, Nehemiah started to see how God would use him in bringing this promised restoration to Jerusalem. As he prayed, he asked the Lord to give him favor and success before the King so that he could respond to God’s call. As he went to the King, he continued to pray, shooting off rapid pleas to God before answering the King’s questions, knowing that what he was asking was no small matter. Nehemiah may well have been risking his own life by asking permission from the King to return to Jerusalem. His sadness and his request could have been taken as an insult, a complaint against his life in the King’s service.

But the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayers, and not only did the King allow him to return to Judah, he sent him with letters assuring safe passage through the various territories of the empire and with permission to use wood from the King’s forest to repair the gates of Jerusalem. If Nehemiah had any doubts as to whether he was really called by the Lord to undertake this project, surely the almost miraculous favor of the King would have confirmed it. Indeed, Nehemiah recognized that the King granted his requests because ‘the gracious hand of God’ was upon him.

When the Lord calls us to undertake a task, perhaps to go into ministry or mission, or to start a project for a church or in our community, his gracious hand will be upon us to make it possible. Like in Nehemiah’s story, asking boldly for what we need can have seemingly miraculous results, and where we expect opposition, we may find our most fervent supporters. But remember that Nehemiah’s plans and his requests to the King were based on a foundation of prayer and on the knowledge of God and his promises. Every task that we undertake for the Lord must start there.