"Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king," ~Nehemiah 2:4-5
This is a wonderful example of seeing God’s grand narrative - His master plan. The exiled Jews are now free (many stayed in Babylon due to age or no desire to return), the temple has been rebuilt, the Biblical law has been reintroduced to the people hungry for God’s word. Enter Nehemiah. Look at how God worked on his heart, as well as his boss, the king of Persia (who possibly is the son the Esther’s husband, King Xerxes). AH, there is so much here!!
Neh 1: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
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.”
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, 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 family, have committed against You. We have acted very wickedly toward You. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws You gave Your servant Moses. “Remember the instruction You gave Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 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.’
“They are Your servants and Your people, whom You redeemed by Your great strength and Your mighty hand. 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.”
The king (with Queen Esther sitting next to him 2:6 - God was very intentional that we knew this) not only allowed Nehemiah to go, but gave him timber and 'hall passes' for safe passage!
Thank you, Almighty God, for giving us a glimpse into Your beautiful plan. Let us remember this when we face difficulties in our own lives. Let our nation return to You. Amen.
