So I Prayed, and I Said

The occasion.
1. The physical condition of Jerusalem indicated to Nehemiah the spiritual condition of the true church in Judah.
  1. After receiving the news it seems that Nehemiah could only pray, not being allowed to bring it up to the king.
  2. He did not know if God would use him for this work (1:11b), but did know that God would have him faithfully do his duty.
2. He waits on the Lord to reverse the condition of the church and to learn whether the Lord would use him.
  1. First, while waiting to know if God would want him to be involved, he yet conceived of a plan if God would use him.
  2. Second, to wait for the Lord is always a part of our calling.
3. While performing his duties as cup-bearer as faithfully as possible, the king perceptively noticed that Nehemiah was sad.
4. Nehemiah immediately prayed a soul prayer (4b).
Nehemiah’s request of King Artaxerses is to be sent to Judah to build the walls of his fathers’ graves.
1. But only if it please the king and if he favor’s Nehemiah.
2. Nehemiah has used the time to give great detail to his request as a diligent and faithful servant ought.
3. Nehemiah prayed and worked (careful in his planning and diligent in his responsibilities).
Practical lessons to be learned.
1. Live in the spirit of prayer.
2. Trust the Lord of the church to care for her.
3. See how the Lord answers our prayers beyond what we ask or think, for Artaxerses sent army officers and horsemen too.