2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”
I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:2-5)
I love this because Nehemiah states that he is afraid. He knew what it was that he wanted to ask the king but such a large request, with a man that could easily end his life, Nehemiah was understandably afraid! Notice though that Nehemiah prays before answering the king. In the midst of the intensity of the situation He prays to God. We don’t know what he prayed but it was probably along the lines of “God give me strength cause this is crazy!” Nehemiah was bold and courageous because he knew what needed to be done in order to save Jerusalem, yet Nehemiah knew where His courage comes from and who was in control.
What I have learned from this is that I should do absolutely nothing without God. That my life should always be a conversation with Him and any decisions need to start and end with God. That even if I am afraid I am to follow through, because I have confidence that I have placed God first and that He is going before me. To often I try and do it without God or ask Him to come in at bless it after I have already done everything! God needs to be first in all of my undertakings and not last. Even if that is a simple prayer before asking a King for permission to build a wall!
Read a little more
Nehemiah 2
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