Today’s passage: Nehemiah 2
Helpful thoughts:
- The kings of Persia expected their servants to be happy at all times. Their happiness was considered a direct result of their magnificence in ruling the kingdom. Nehemiah risked his life in showing his emotion and in making this appeal.
- Nehemiah had certainly prayed much in the last four months (As we see in 1:5-11). The Lord also heard the short prayer he must have prayed in verse 4. The Lord hears our long prayers and our short prayers. Our sincerity is what matters most.
- If Artaxerxes was in the hands of the Lord to do as He pleased, Sanballat didn’t stand a chance. Verse 18 and verse 20 articulate that truth.
Questions to consider:
- Though everyone who had been present would have been astonished at the king’s kindness toward Nehemiah that day, who had granted his requests (End of verse 8)? How does this remind us of the sovereign control of God (Proverbs 21:1)?
- If Nehemiah was going to set his sights and efforts on doing what was right and pleasing to God, where was he going to have to find his comfort and encouragement? Was this going to be easy? Was unanimous support to be expected? In whom can we take heart as we follow hard after Christ in this world (John 16:33)?