In Nehemiah 2:4, the king asked Nehemiah, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick?” Nehemiah became “very much afraid,” fearful of the king who had the power of life and death in his hands and who could easily dispose of anyone whose presence was not pleasing.
He explained his remorse over the destruction of Jerusalem, which prompted the king to ask, “What would you request?” Before Nehemiah attempted to answer this critical question he did what all of us should do in moment of stress, fear, joy or comfort, he prayed. He prayed what is probably the shortest prayer in the Bible just before requesting and receiving unbelievable favor from the king (2:4-8).
Nehemiah prepared. He was so proficient and comfortable in his prayer life that even when tensions were high, he immediately turned to God in prayer.
Nehemiah prayed. When he found himself in a seemingly overwhelming situation, his first reaction was to pray.
Nehemiah praised. After receiving everything he asked for from the king, he remembered, “And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me” (v. 8).
We should find the time to prepare, to pray, and to praise God as Nehemiah did.
Matt Langfield