May 17 - So I Prayed.

Nehemiah 2:4
“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.”
 
The king noticed there was a change in Nehemiah’s countenance, and asked why.
His feelings were written all over his face. Can you relate?
 
Nehemiah 2:3
“And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?”
 
His sorrow was rooted in despair that his home place was destroyed.
The king asked what he needed.
 
Nehemiah’s immediate reaction is a reminder that we should all apply to our lives.
Instead of ranting or even weeping for help, he once again chose to pray.
 
He was a man of prayer.
In a time of sorrow, he prayed.
In a time of opportunity, he prayed.
 
The king basically offered to do whatever he needed, and instead of using that to his advantage, he sought the Lord for direction.
 
Psalm 18:6
“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
 
Nehemiah could have asked the king to send help to his hometown; but instead,
the Lord directed Nehemiah to ask if he could go himself to help. 
 
Nehemiah 2:5
“And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.”
 
He wanted to be involved in the Lord’s solution. 
He had a desire to serve the Lord by serving people.
 
Nehemiah 2:17
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.”
 
When he came to town, he led by example.
“…come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem…”
And it all started by him immediately seeking the Lord’s direction. 
 
Seek the Lord’s direction in prayer today. 
 
He may direct you to build up some wall in His kingdom or it may be as simple as building up a friend by encouraging them in their walk with Him.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 28-29   |    1 Corinthians 5