Focus passage: Nehemiah 2:1-10
Our family motto for vacations is “We plan to be spontaneous”. It is our way of saying that we plan out the details of a vacation so that we can be impulsive if we see something that we really want to do or make changes if the weather doesn’t cooperate. We like to have reservations for our campsites and a plan of what we might do at each place we plan to stop at on any vacation. Prayer can be a great time to plan how you are going to tackle a problem or make the most of an opportunity. If you ask questions of the Lord, He will help you see details you might have missed or have everything ready if you get the right break occurs. The planning that Nehemiah prepared him to take a once in a lifetime opportunity. He needed three things if he was going to rebuild the walls.
He needed permission v.6. When you work for a king, you can only go if the king gives his blessing. Nehemiah knew exactly what to ask and how to ask it so that his journey would not threaten the king. The king’s question also signaled to Nehemiah that he had the Lord’s permission to go forward with the task.
He needed protection v. 7 What Nehemiah was undertaking was a dangerous task. Leaders of the territories around Judah would not want the wall built. Letters from the king would give him safe passage to Judah and protection while he was in Jerusalem.
He needed provision v.8 Jerusalem was broken down and materials would be needed to build gates and buildings. Nehemiah had made a material list during his time of prayer so that he was ready to ask for exactly what he needed to complete the task. There would probably not be a second time to ask for help.
Months of prayer preparation were not wasted. Nehemiah saw the opening and presented his needs logically and respectfully to the king. Moved by the Lord, the king was eager to help. He allowed Nehemiah the twelve years he needed to complete the task and made him governor of Judea so that he had the power to accomplish the building of Jerusalem’s walls.
Don’t be upset if your prayers are not answered immediately. Extended prayer time can be a place to work out your problems with the Lord so that when the opportunity comes, you are ready with all the details. You understand the sacrifices that it will take from you. You know the help that you will need from others and who might help you the most. Often we rush into solutions without thinking things through. In the quiet times with the Lord, you can plan what you really want in a new job or plan how you can help a sick friend. God will help you to make a difference so that you do not waste an opportunity.
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