Dave's Diary

Nehemiah 2 and Psalm 14

In Nehemiah 2 we see Nehemiah enjoying astounding favour. It appears that he received absolutely everything he asked for. We should conclude that when heart-felt, sincere, fervent prayer and fasting aligns itself with the will of God, this brings a tremendous release of God’s favour.

It all started when Nehemiah shared his sorrow over Jerusalem with King Artaxerxes. The king then asked Nehemiah, “What do you want?”, and Nehemiah shot up a prayer for the courage to make an audacious request.

He asked the king for safe passage and a huge supply of materials. And he got them! As Nehemiah explained it, “Because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.” His success was a sign of God’s gracious blessing.

That put him on a roll and, soon after arriving in Jerusalem, he asked the locals to join him in a massively ambitious building project. Lo and behold, they replied immediately, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ No wonder Nehemiah could respond so confidently to those who opposed the work, “‘The God of heaven will give us success.” Everything he had asked, God had answered, and now his faith was at an all-time high.

Is there some ambitious task God has placed before you to accomplish? Do not despise the role of prayer and fasting in preparing the way for you to find favour in your pursuit of God’s great call. And when it’s time, do not forget to pray for courage and God’s favour as you make the “big request” from those who have the resources you need. Once one has prepared the ground in prayer, there is no reason to hold back on those audacious requests.

Heavenly Father, help me to discern the way you want to use me for the glory of Your Name, and grant me the courage to take the risks that will be necessary to accomplish Your call. By Your grace, please grant me the favour of those whose assistance and support I will need. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.