06.16.2017 – Old Testament: Neh 2.5

To read the Bible in a year, read Nehemiah 1–3 on June 16, In the year of our Lord 2017

By Don Ruhl

Nehemiah heard of the sad condition of Jerusalem. Therefore, he prayed to God, asking that he might find favor before the king of Persia. Finally the day arrived on which he found favor in the sight of the king of Persia, and the king asked Nehemiah what he wanted to do about the dilapidated condition of Jerusalem. Nehemiah began by saying,

“If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Nehemiah 2.5). 

Nehemiah had a plan and so he was ready when the Persian king presented the opportunity to do something about Jerusalem. Nehemiah said that he wanted to rebuild Jerusalem. He did not say he wanted to go help Jerusalem, or some other vague request, but he stated precisely what he wanted to do, as the rest of the story shows.

Questions:

• Do you know what you want and what you have to do to accomplish it?
• Have you made specific requests of God and of man?