Nehemiah Waits for God’s Opportunity

Nehemiah waited four months to present his request to the king. Though his heart was heavy with grief, he tried to be cheerful in the royal presence. In those halls of luxury, everyone must appear lighthearted and happy. But when Nehemiah was alone, concealed from human sight, he offered many prayers and tears that were heard and witnessed by God and angels.RR 221.5

Finally, sleepless nights and care-filled days left their mark on his face. The king, jealous for his own safety, was accustomed to read facial expressions and to see through disguises. He saw that some secret trouble was eating away at his cupbearer. “Why is your face sad,” he inquired, “since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”RR 222.1

Would the king be angry that while Nehemiah was outwardly engaged in his service, his thoughts had been far away with his afflicted people? His cherished plan for restoring Jerusalem—was it about to be overthrown? “So,” he writes, “I became dreadfully afraid.” With tearful eyes he revealed the cause of his sorrow: “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?”RR 222.2

This awakened the monarch’s sympathy. “What do you request?”RR 222.3

The man of God did not dare to reply till he had asked for direction from One higher than Artaxerxes. He needed the king’s help, and he realized that much depended on his presenting the matter in such a way as to secure his aid. “I prayed,” he said, “to the God of heaven.” In that brief prayer Nehemiah pressed his way into the presence of the King of kings and won to his side a power that can turn hearts.RR 222.4

In the busy walks of life, when we are almost overwhelmed with perplexity, we can send up a prayer to God for divine guidance. Travelers, when threatened with some great danger, can commit themselves to Heaven’s protection. In times of sudden difficulty the heart may send up its cry for help to the One who has pledged to come to the aid of His believing ones when they call on Him. When temptation comes at its fiercest, the believer may find support in the unfailing power and love of a God who keeps His promises.RR 222.5