In our study of last week, we started to look at the life of Nehemiah. The main reason we are studying his life is because two weeks ago in our study of Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose“ it was said that, “There are many verses in the Bible that give us examples of people who loved and served God, who experienced bad, hopeless and impossibly difficult moments in their lives. However, we also see in these people’s lives that there were times of prosperity and blessing.” Nehemiah is one of these people.
Nehemiah 1:1-2
1 In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Chapter one of Nehemiah gives us an in-depth look into Nehemiah’s concern for his people who were “the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 1:2. This is seen by his questioning Hanani and those who were with him and his reaction to their answer. “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4
There are times we want to be used by God in a situation to help people or a person. But how often does it begin with a burden and prayer? Are we seeking out others to gather information (not gossip) concerning what we are burdened about? How long are we willing to pray and how often do we pray about the situation or people we are concerned about?
We do not know how long Nehemiah had this burden for “the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.” before he was able to ask Hanani and his companions, but once he recognized the opportunity, he took action and asked questions to those he knew who would have the answers.
However, most importantly, is what we read in Nehemiah’s prayer as a result of his concern which is over half of chapter 1, or 7 of the 11 verses.
Nehemiah’s prayer exposes his heart or burden he had for the situation he was inquiring about. It also gives us some in-sight of his relationship with God and his knowledge of scripture and how he applied it to the situation he was praying about. Or in other words in Nehemiah’s prayer, we see his love for God, love for his people and his love for his ancestral land.
When we look at Nehemiah’s prayer it is similar to the prayers of many in the Bible, such as Ezra’s prayer, Ezra 9:5-15, Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:4-19,the believer’s prayer in Acts 4:23-31.
Nehemiah’s prayer first acknowledges who God is, he appealed to God not to only hear his prayer about the matter but he also acknowledged others who were praying to God for the same thing. Nehemiah then does something that most of us do not do when we are praying for a situation and or for someone, that is to take our and other’s sin into account which has direct influence of what we are praying about. Nehemiah knew how God’s word applied to the topic of what he was praying about. He also recognized his and others position in their relationship with God.
Nehemiah’s Prayer, Nehemiah 1:5-11
5 Then I said: “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
Verse 11b reveals to us much about Nehemiah’s faith. Looking at Romans 8:28 again and seeing how it relates to Nehemiah, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Nehemiah clearly knew he had “…been called according to his (God’s) purpose.”, in relation to what God was going to do concerning “the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.”. This can be seen by what he did, He not only inquired of others and prayed about the situation, but in the second sentence of verse 11 he says the following. “Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” It obvious that Nehemiah expected to speak to the king “this man” about the situation that was on his heart at any moment. Nehemiah might have not known exactly how God was going to use him as we will see in the upcoming chapters, but he knew enough to do what he did by inquiring and praying as we see in Chapter 1, and also that he would also be speaking to the king about it.
What Nehemiah said in verse 11b is a perfect fulfillment of what we read in Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
As was stated in last week’s bulletin message, it was not until about three months after Nehemiah questioned Hanani and his companions and fasted and prayed did he actually see the answer to his prayers in chapter 2:1-10.
Many times, in prayer we want God to answer what we prayed about, but how are we preparing beforehand, such as praying for what we believe that God is going to do in accordance to His will, His Word, in His time and in His way?
Pastor John
