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"And said to the king, 'May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?' Then the king said to me, 'What do you request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven."
(Nehemiah 2:3-4)
The question, "What do you want?" is taken from verse 4 of our Scripture passage for today, when the king asked his servant, "What do you request?" This was the moment of truth for Nehemiah. He had to be bold and make his request of the king without offending him. Perhaps you are also facing a defining moment in your life and you need to step up in courage and move ahead. I pray for you as you read this message that God touches you in such a way that it brings about life-change, prosperity, and fulfillment to your life.
In verse 3, Nehemiah displays great wisdom and tact. He first honors the king before stating the problem. One biblical commentator states, "Nehemiah went on to say he was sad because of the condition of the city 'where my fathers are buried.' Such a description showed both Nehemiah's respect for his ancestors and also his sense of shame at the condition of his native city. Nehemiah's request no doubt touched the sentiments of the king. He carefully avoided raising the king's suspicions by mentioning Jerusalem by name and so reminding him of his earlier decree, though of course the king knew Nehemiah's background. Nehemiah showed his great ability in communication and delicate diplomacy. He first had to get the king's sympathy before going on to details." (Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 175). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) Nehemiah is stating his case in preparation for his requests. He has thought long and hard on this, and I believe he has rehearsed this day fully.
In verse 4, King Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah, "What do you request?" When asked, "What do you want? What will you say?" Nehemiah was ready; again, he had been rehearsing this big day, should the king ever ask him this question. True, he ran a risk of appearing too sad and asking for too much in the king's eyes, but Nehemiah's conviction and burden were heavier than the risk of failure or even the risk of his own life. He is an exemplary man of leadership. We can learn so much from him.
I love when Nehemiah said, "So I prayed to the God of heaven." It was a quick prayer, no doubt, as it would have been awkward for him to bow his head and close his eyes at that time! He prayed with eyes wide open and heart pounding in his chest. Our first response should always be to pray; it shouldn't be our last resort. Warren Wiersbe writes, "As he was accustomed to do, Nehemiah sent one of his quick 'telegraph prayers' to the Lord (4:4; 5:9; 6:9, 14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31). But keep in mind that these 'emergency prayers' were backed up by four months of fasting and praying." (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Determined (p. 27). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
What is it that you want today? Are you prepared to ask the King of Heaven to grant you the desire of your heart? I am convinced if it is God's will to grant it to you, then ask, because it will be given to you. I believe that is what Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
I know what I want from God. I desire to be used by Him in ways that will bring Him the most glory. When that occurs, then I will be most fulfilled and satisfied. God loves us, and He is for us. He has great plans for all His children. Let me encourage you to step up and ask God for a grand assignment that only you can fulfill and accomplish in your lifetime. When this life is over and we go into the presence of Jesus for eternity, may we enter having done all He intended for us to do.
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