Nehemiah 2

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Nehemiah 2:4-5, The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Nehemiah must have been truly admired by the king.  The king actually notices because Nehemiah looks distressed and he asks Nehemiah what’s going on.  Nehemiah could have just said, “I’m fine.”  After all, he feared the king.  The Scripture actually says that Nehemiah was very much afraid.  Keep in mind, the Persian king had absolute power and literally held Nehemiah’s life in his hands. 

But here we see a turning point in Nehemiah.  Rather than give into his fear, he speaks up.  He prays to God, listens to God, and speaks up.  He is honest and tells the king what’s going on in Jerusalem.  He asks if the king would allow him to take a leave of absence (of sorts) from his job as cup bearer to help his Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. 

Friends, that took courage.  I think I should reiterate:  Nehemiah was fearful BUT he prays to God, he listens to God, he trusts God, and he speaks up.  Let that sink in.  How often do we give in to fear and not speak OR we speak too quickly before praying and listening to God? 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Help us pray, listen, trust, and then speak, in that order.  Give us courage to stand up for you at just the right time.  In Your Name, Amen.