“Then the king said to me, ‘What do you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, ‘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.’ Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), ‘How long will your journey be? And when will you return?’ So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.”
July 7, 2024
Even though Nehemiah asked for help from King Artaxerxes and received a favorable reply, it wasn’t from the true King. Nehemiah received help from Almighty God. He turned to God, saying the king’s heart was in the hand of the Lord. Just like the rivers of waters, God turns the king’s heart wherever He will. Even though it appeared from the outside as if King Artaxerxes were doing something for Nehemiah, it was God doing something for Nehemiah. It was after prayer to God that Nehemiah saw the favor from the human king.
So often when we see a problem, we jump to fix it on our own power. Nehemiah saw the task that needed to be done and prayed for it. You can’t serve God on your own. You need the King’s permission. You need the King’s authority. Would you ask God for His blessing? Seek His hand on you so that you might have the King’s permission and authority and so that the King of kings would use you.
Ask a pastor or small group leader about a time he or she felt God’s permission to do something after seeking Him in prayer.
Learn to walk with Jesus moment by moment each day.
The 365 daily readings in this devotional were developed directly from the sound biblical teaching of Pastor Adrian Rogers. His way of simply stating the truth of Jesus Christ is unparalleled. Page after page you’ll get something new to think about and to talk to God about in your moments with Him.