Nehemiah: Patience

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Nehemiah 2:1-8        
   
In Nehemiah 1, we learned that Nehemiah was in great distress over Jerusalem. He mourned for days and fasted, prayed, and confessed. 

Nehemiah was cup bearer to King Artaxerxes. As cup bearer, Nehemiah was responsible for tasting the wine before it was given to the king to ensure it had not been poisoned. Nehemiah had a job that put him in a unique position, he had access to the king. 

Nearly 4 months had passed since hearing of the news before Nehemiah encounters the king in Ch 2. The king senses that something isn't quite right with Nehemiah and asks "Why are you sad?" Now, as cup bearer it was important that Nehemiah have a pleasant demeanor in the presence of the king. But because of his grief, he was unable to pretend to be happy. Although Nehemiah was grieved and afraid, he responded boldly to the king. He realized that God had finally allowed for this moment to come. "May the king live forever!" "Why shouldn't I be sad when my hometown is buried in ruins and its gates destroyed by fire?" The king asks the million dollar question, "What is it that you want?" Nehemiah prayed before answering, "If it pleases you (If I please you), send me to Judah where my ancestors are buried so I can rebuild it." And BOOM...just like that, the king grants Nehemiah's request.  

Nehemiah was an ordinary servant who would do extraordinary things, but he did them by moving with God. Not running ahead but walking beside. Nehemiah's reliance on God is first displayed in this chapter by his willingness to wait. (SRT)

He was willing to wait on God's timing and not take matters in his own hands. Nehemiah waited 4 months before God moved on his behalf. Guess what Nehemiah was doing in the meantime....praying. Nehemiah was a man of prayer. How many times have we become impatience in our waiting? Let's learn to pray while we wait. Let's be resistant in our need to move ahead of God. What ever it is that we are asking God for, let's remember to pray and wait! 

Nehemiah's willingness to pray and wait put him in the very place God had prepared for him in advance. Ephesians 2:10 says,  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Dear Lord, thank you for your words today. Help us to remember to pray while we wait. In Jesus name. Amen!

Yours Truly~Freedom