God Answers Nehemiah’s Prayer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Nehemiah 2:1-10. It was now the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, and it was the month of Nisan. Nehemiah went before the king to give him his wine and the king noticed that Nehemiah had a sad look on his face. The king asked Nehemiah why he was sad, was he sick or just sad in his heart? Nehemiah was extremely afraid to tell the king of his concern.

Since Nehemiah was the king’s cup-bearer he had constant access to the king and got to know the king personally. He was a trusted bodyguard to the king. It was his duty to protect the king and make sure that no one tried to kill the king through giving him food or wine that was poisoned.

Nehemiah prayed to God and he felt led to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. He asked for God’s favor with the king. Nehemiah said to the king, “Let the king live for ever.” He then goes on to tell the king that he’s sorrowful because the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and the gates were burned down. The king asked Nehemiah, what did he want him to do to help?

He told the king if he found favor in his eyes, he would like him to be sent back to Judah, to rebuild the city. The king asked him how long he would be gone and when he would return. Nehemiah gave the king a time and the king sent him to do the job that God had laid on his heart.

The king told him, with the queen sitting beside him to witness it, that he could go. Nehemiah asked the king to write letters to the governors on the other side of the river so they would permit him to pass through their territory until he arrived in Judah.

Nehemiah also asked that a letter be written to Asaph, who was the keeper of the king’s forest, so he would give him timbers for beams to use in the construction of the gates of the palace, the walls of the city, and the house he would live in. The king granted everything Nehemiah requested because the hand of God and His favor was upon Nehemiah.

Nehemiah went to the governors beyond the river and gave them the letters the king had written. The king also sent the captains of the army and horsemen along with Nehemiah. When the governors received the letters and heard that Nehemiah had come to check on the well-being of the children of Israel they were very distressed.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Nehemiah 2:1-10

1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.

5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;

8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.

10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

 

Things to think about:

• Why do you think Nehemiah was afraid to approach the king with his request?

• How did God provide for Nehemiah’s project?

• Have you ever felt led to do something so big that you knew you were going to have to have God’s favor to get it done?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that we can see in this Scripture in the book of Nehemiah that You provided Nehemiah with everything he needed to do the job You had called him to do. We also see that You gave him the courage to go to the king and ask for the things he needed for the journey. Please help us and equip us to do the job You have called us to do and give us the courage to carry it through. We love You, LORD. Amen.

This is an excerpt from:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination

by Deborah H. Bateman

**Click on the link above to get your copy.

 

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Featured Book:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Nehemiah by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Nehemiah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Nehemiah was led by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a great leader. He headed up the project. Despite the opposition that the Jewish people encountered they were able to complete this major project in less than sixty days. Their dedication and determination shines through in every aspect of the project.

The Book of Nehemiah: A Story of Dedication and Determination contains eighteen Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation or discussion and a prayer for the day. This is a great Bible study that can be used for either a personal Daily Bible Reading Study or for a group Bible study.

Go to Amazon to download your copy!

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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