...and Preparation (Nehemiah 2: 6 - 10)

Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.

I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates,so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.”

And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.

Verse of the day: so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear

Commentary: There's so many questions in the passage. Who is the queen mentioned? The translation of this word means a noble lady in the harem. And a harem would have different tiers of 'queens' and 'noble ladies' depending on the culture. So, this doesn't mean it was the actual legal queen. What was her silent influence on the situation? We may never know but given the king is retracting a previous order and she is mentioned, it seems important. I watch way too many historical dramas not to think of the king glancing at her in consideration of his next words.

Beyond that, we see the Nehemiah spent those four months in planning. He had practical responses ready in case the king granted his request. He showed up prepared to receive in faith. Now, I'm not saying you will receive each and every time you make a request. But that you show so little faith in God when you show up unprepared for him to grant your request.

Then we see the first request actually made by Nehemiah, and it was one for safety. Because of his preparation, he understood the realities of the situation. He knew that the king had resources (trees) and influence (safety). If not, he would've went to repair the wall empty handed. Because who is to say that the king would've granted the request at a different time.

Nehemiah never attributes his success to his close relationship to the king. He attributes it to the grace of God. Now, I have the ego the size of Texas. I doubt I would've made that attribution. I would've attributed to myself. And I have friends that in every conversation they name drop who they know. So they would've given credit to the King. Nehemiah only gives credit to God.

This brings us to the end of this passage. We end on a foreboding note. God grants Nehemiah's request but is enemies are lying in wait.

Daily Practice: Are you afraid to speak about a need? Perhaps, you need something from someone who has previously told you, "No". Or maybe, you fear even if they do care, they won't understand. Or maybe you're afraid you'll lose your job or be kicked out from your community for speaking truth. God doesn't require you to speak in the absence of fear but in spite of it.

Consider a situation now or in the past when you were afraid. Make a plan of preparation for how to approach, make the concern known, and make a request. Bring God into every step so that you have a plan of action to walk in courage with him.

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