Nehemiah took a risk in going before the King. Sometimes we’re afraid to take a step, but if we know that God was with us and have prayed before him and have heard his voice then we can know that God will guide and lead us through to where he wants to take us.
In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him,
I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before
Nehemiah was in a position of responsibility in Artaxerxes court, but to be sad before him
Was a huge risk even for Nehemiah, the King had not been happy with others before
Who had done this Artaxerxes had them put to death, to do this was to go out on a limb
Nehemiah was well aware of the risk he was taking but he also knew who he lived for
He knew God was with him and had prayed for four months and God’s Spirit was in him
Nehemiah took the wing and gave it to the king, he had not been sad in his presence before
So the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing
But sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever!
The king could see Nehemiah was sad and Nehemiah had to ensure that he didn’t diss the king
For he knew that if he did the king would have him put to death and that wouldn’t be clever
Nehemiah knew that he had to get the king’s seal of approval and had to him a proposal bring
That would be accepted, he was very much afraid, but said to the king, “May the king live forever”
Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins,
And its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?”
Nehemiah was prepared to got out on a limb and explain what it was he was ruing
By telling of the plight of Jerusalem the king could see that it would Nehemiah haunt
He understood that a city without walls was vulnerable from attack and could be ruined
He trusted Nehemiah who was to him a faithful servant, and asked him “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
Favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
Nehemiah sought out God and knew his mind, so he was clear in his request to the King, his plan was sound
He knew what he wanted to do, to go to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls and gates, on his plan he did not sit
He was forthright with the King; we can learn from him, we are told to seek the Lord while he may be found
And it as we do that he will reveal his plans for us which are for good and not for evil, and he will not sit
But will lead us toward the future and the hope he has for us, his grace towards us is amazing and does abound
Will we like Nehemiah trust in our God? Truly he is able to see past the things that are broken and truly rebuild it
Mark Maffey, January 2009
(NIV)