The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Nehemiah 2:4-5

Nehemiah approached the king with the fear of the Lord and with submission to the God-given authorities. He humbly asked the king for the resources he needed to complete his mission in Jerusalem. It is obvious that through his time of prayer and fasting, the Lord gave him a strategy to go forward in order to help restore Jerusalem’s broken-down walls. We also have “broken-down” walls in our lives. The Lord longs to restore those broken-down places where the world and the evil one continually weaken our defenses and make us ashamed, angry, hurt, disappointed, fearful, or even hopeless. Nehemiah models for us how a Godly man approached the devastation in Jerusalem. His first step was to fast and pray. Then he waited for God to open the door of opportunity so he could begin the process of stepping out in faith and putting his God-given plan into action. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct our paths. In the places of devastation in our lives – those broken-down places – the Lord will direct us through His Holy Spirit when we turn to Him in prayer. He will give us the mind of Christ to show us what to do and when to do it. Even more importantly, it is GOD who will provide the resources we need to restore our lives. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, and, like Nehemiah, we are able to say: the gracious hand of my God was upon me and the king granted my requests. (Nehemiah 2:8b)

Has the Lord laid something on your heart that needs to be done?

Does it seem like an impossible task? Nehemiah was faced with rebuilding a city that had been burned down – a formidable task! He did not dwell on the negative possibilities but sought the Lord in prayer, and the God of the impossible told him what to do. If you are faced with a problem, seek the Lord. He will give you the wisdom you need.

Heavenly Father,

I am faced with an impossible task. I do not have the resources, the time, or the ability to accomplish it. I cry out to You for wisdom, strength, time and ability to accomplish what is before me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen