Nehemiah 1:8-11
‘Remember, please, the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote partof the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to have My name dwell.’ They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. Please, Lord, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and please make Your servantsuccessful today and grant him mercy before this man.”
Now I was the cupbearer to the king.’
Nehemiah is acting as an intercessor. He is going before the Lord and praying for them. He is reminding God of His promise to Moses that if His people repent and pray, He will restore them. That’s a great prayer. It’s as if He is claiming God’s promise.
I heard Skip Heitzig on the radio yesterday. He said, “If you want to know God’s will, get into His Word”. God wants to restore His people back to the promised land. Nehemiah is praying for that. Praying His promises have extra power.
Nehemiah is also inserting himself into the situation. He’s in a powerful position as the cup bearer. He has the king’s ear. He’s asking for success before the king. We’re about to find out if God intends to use Nehemiah in His will. He’s not only praying, but offering himself to be used by the Lord.
Nehemiah is giving us a great example. He’s a prayer warrior, but also will to help how he can. He’s following the example in Isaiah 6:8, ‘Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”’
Lord, thank You for these great men of faith. Help me to be a prayer warrior, but also be willing to help.