The Mountain Starts to Move

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:4-5 (NIV)

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 ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Devotion:

The story of Nehemiah is a remarkable testament to the power of faith and the impact one individual can have when they trust in God. In Nehemiah 2, we see three distinct aspects of Nehemiah’s faith: the faith to wait, the faith to ask, and the faith to challenge others.

Nehemiah demonstrates the faith to wait on God’s timing. As the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, he was in a position of influence yet also bound by duty. When he first heard about the desolation of Jerusalem from his brothers, he was heartbroken. Instead of rushing to action, Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed for several months (Nehemiah 1:4). This period of waiting was not passive but active, filled with seeking God’s guidance and strength. Nehemiah's patience exemplifies a profound trust in God’s perfect timing. He allowed God to prepare his heart and align his plans with divine will by waiting.

When Nehemiah finally stood before the king, he was ready—his time of waiting and praying had prepared him for this critical moment. The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and inquired about it, to which Nehemiah responded with a direct and bold request after a brief prayer to God. “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 ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it” (Nehemiah 2:5). This request was audacious, considering the potential danger in asking a favor of such magnitude. However, Nehemiah’s faith empowered him to ask confidently, knowing that God was with him. His courage to ask the king for help, despite the risks, reflects his deep reliance on God to move hearts and orchestrate events.

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah did not immediately reveal his plans. He first surveyed the city walls by night, assessing the extent of the damage. Then, he gathered the Jewish leaders and inspired them to rebuild the walls, sharing how God’s hand had been upon him and the king’s favorable response (Nehemiah 2:17-18). Nehemiah’s faith was not just personal but communal. He challenged and motivated others to trust in God’s provision and join in the work. His leadership and faith galvanized the people, transforming despair into determined action and fostering a sense of community.

Many of our churches today are in the situation of the people of Jerusalem. First, they do not want to change and say they have never done it that way before. Second, they will say, "We tried that already, and it didn’t work." The church needs leadership like Nehemiah to challenge them to follow Jesus and make spreading the gospel a number one priority.

Nehemiah’s journey in chapter 2 is a powerful lesson for us. It teaches us the importance of waiting on God’s timing, having the courage to make bold requests, and inspiring others to act. Nehemiah’s faith moved mountains, starting with the desolate walls of Jerusalem. May we, too, cultivate such faith and witness God’s transformative power in our own lives and communities, filling us with hope for the future.