Searching for favor to overcome obstacles (Part II)

(If you missed the previous post click here)

   Last post we left Nehemiah in a state of sadness and shock.  The question is:  how will Nehemiah react to this devastating news?  The people of Israel's future could depend on his approach to the situation he is facing.

Nehemiah went to the Lord alone.

⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ 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, ⁶ 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. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ 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.’

¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ 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.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

   Nehemiah begins to weep, mourn, fast and pray.  In this recorded prayer we see a broken person cry out.  Here are just a few things we can glean from his prayer:

·         He recognizes God and how great and powerful He is.

·         He prays for the Lord’s attention during this outpouring of sorrow.

·         He confesses sin (individual, family and corporately).

·         He recounts the Lord’s promises.

·         Finally, he pleads for favor with the king.

   Nehemiah realizes his only hope is in the Lord.  There are no other options for the people of Israel.  Nehemiah must go before the king.  This is a dangerous task and one that had been denied to Ezra before.  In a letter to an official king Artaxerxes wrote:

Greetings.

¹⁸ The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. ¹⁹ I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. ²⁰ Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. ²¹ Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. ²² Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

²³ As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. (Ezra 4:18-23)

   On this earth we have those that we report to and many times it isn't just under the umbrella of Christianity.  It can be a board, supervisor, manager, professor, government agency or official that makes the decisions concerning portions of our life.  Ultimately though, we have a God we can mourn, fast and pray before.  He can grant us favor in the presence of any obstacle we face.