Nehemiah was in front of the King and Queen he was taking a huge risk, one which could cost him his life. But God was with him and Nehemiah’s planning ensured he ending up getting what he needed and more, he got royal protection, letters of safety, access to timber from the Kings’ forests. Do we hear God well enough to trust in him and believe that he will provide in line with our requests? God’s plans for us are for good and not for evil and are designed to give us a future and a hope. Will you trust him today?
Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take;
And when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.
Nehemiah stuck his neck out and it wasn’t chopped off, the king a good decision did make
Nehemiah knew what he wanted to do, he had a plan and could set a time
Sometimes we don’t get because we don’t ask, we can prejudge the decision God will make
We need to know what we want to do, and how much we will put on the line
If we like Nehemiah have prayed we will know in our hearts what direction we should take
God’s way is the narrow way, few find it, but when they do they with God are in time
I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors
Of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah?
Nehemiah had planned he knew the risk he would face in getting to Jerusalem’s doors
In order to travel 800 miles he needed to go through other territories and not in a car
He needed safe passage which only letters from the king could provide to open doors
The king wanted Nehemiah back so his safety was important to get him to and from Judah
And may I have a letter to Asaph, Keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams
for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?”
Not only did Nehemiah need safe passage, he needed materials to re-build walls and to make beams
Nehemiah had a good idea of what materials he needed and he didn’t want them have to beg or buy
It was in Artaxerxes best interests to have a strong northern outpost so it was to hard to give the beams
He knew Nehemiah would use them wisely and wanted Nehemiah to be safe in the house he would occupy
And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters.
Sometimes we can be surprised by God if we trust and seek him he can grant requests
He desires that we ask in line with his will, it is not for us to be the agenda setters
Rather we need to take time to pray and listen for his guidance and we will be blest
Nehemiah was able to go to the governors with confidence and give them the kings’ letters
The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
Nehemiah didn’t journey alone but had strength in numbers
He could be assured that God also would also with him be
God had his hand on him, Our God neither sleeps or slumbers
He is constantly aware of all our needs and does them see
Nehemiah was safe on his journey but had strength in numbers
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this,
they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.
They didn’t want to have a strong Jerusalem and could not countenance this
They wanted it to stay weak, it suited their purposes and they wanted to dominate the Israelites
It ensured they could keep control of the area and other powers would desist
Nehemiah was only just beginning his battle, but over time he would be the leader of the Israelites
Mark Maffey, February 2009
(NIV)