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A Holy Purpose, September 13
Nehemiah 1
O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy
servant, ... and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him
mercy in the sight of this man.
Nehemiah 1:11
.
Nehemiah, one of the Hebrew exiles, occupied a position of influence and
honor in the Persian court. As cupbearer to the king he was admitted freely to
the royal presence.... Through this man ... God purposed to bring blessing to
His people in the land of their fathers....
The Hebrew patriot learned that days of trial had come to Jerusalem, the
chosen city. The returned exiles were suffering affliction and reproach.... The
work of restoration was hindered, the temple services were disturbed, and the
people kept in constant alarm by the fact that the walls of the city were still
largely in ruins....
Nehemiah had often poured out his soul in behalf of his people. But now
as he prayed a holy purpose formed in his mind. He resolved that if he could
obtain the consent of the king, and the necessary aid in procuring implements
and material, he would himself undertake the task of rebuilding the walls of
Jerusalem....
Four months Nehemiah waited for a favorable opportunity to present his
request to the king.... He had a sacred trust to fulfill, in which he required help
from the king; and he realized that much depended upon his presenting the
matter in such a way as to win his approval and enlist his aid. “I prayed,” he
said, “to the God of heaven.” In that brief prayer, Nehemiah pressed into the
presence of the King of kings and won to his side a power that can turn hearts as
the rivers of waters are turned.
To pray as Nehemiah prayed in his hour of need is a resource at the com-
mand of the Christian under circumstances when other forms of prayer may be
impossible.... In times of sudden difficulty or peril the heart may send up its
cry for help to One who has pledged Himself to come to the aid of His faithful,
believing ones whenever they call upon Him. In every circumstance, under every
condition, the soul weighed down with grief and care, or fiercely assailed by
temptation, may find assurance, support, and succor in the unfailing love and
power of a covenant-keeping God
[263]
20
Ibid., 628-632
.
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