In the grand tapestry of God’s redemptive history, there are moments when the cries of His people rise like incense before His throne, and He raises up servants to answer those cries. Such was the time when Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king of Persia, found himself burdened by the plight of his people, the Jews, and the broken walls of Jerusalem. This is the story of how one man’s heart was stirred by God to intercede and act, a story of faith, prayer, and divine providence.
It was the month of Kislev, the ninth month of the Jewish calendar, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign. The air in the citadel of Susa was crisp, and the palace grounds were adorned with the splendor of the Persian empire. Nehemiah, a man of Jewish descent, served as the king’s cupbearer, a position of great trust and honor. He was responsible for tasting the king’s wine to ensure it was not poisoned, a duty that placed him in close proximity to the monarch. Yet, despite his privileged position, Nehemiah’s heart was heavy with concern for his homeland.
One day, as the sun cast its golden rays over the palace courtyards, Hanani, one of Nehemiah’s brothers, arrived from Judah with a group of men. Nehemiah eagerly sought news of Jerusalem, the city of his ancestors, the city where the temple of the Lord stood. Hanani’s face was somber as he delivered his report. “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach,” he said. “The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
Nehemiah’s heart sank as he absorbed the words. The walls of Jerusalem, once a symbol of God’s protection and the city’s strength, lay in ruins. The gates, which had once welcomed pilgrims and traders, were now charred and useless. The people of Judah, those who had returned from exile, were living in shame and vulnerability, exposed to the scorn of their enemies. The news struck Nehemiah like a blow, and he felt the weight of his people’s suffering settle upon his shoulders.
Overwhelmed by grief, Nehemiah retreated to his chambers. He sat down and wept, his tears a testament to the depth of his sorrow. For days, he mourned, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. His prayers were not mere words but a pouring out of his soul, a desperate plea for mercy and guidance. He began his prayer with reverence, acknowledging the greatness and faithfulness of God. “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments,” Nehemiah prayed, his voice trembling with emotion.
He confessed the sins of his people, including his own, recognizing that their suffering was a consequence of their disobedience. “We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that You commanded Your servant Moses,” he admitted. Yet, even in his confession, Nehemiah clung to the promises of God. He reminded the Lord of His words to Moses, that if the people returned to Him, He would gather them from the farthest parts of the earth and bring them to the place He had chosen as His dwelling.
Nehemiah’s prayer was not only a cry for forgiveness but also a bold request for favor. “O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to fear Your name,” he pleaded. He asked for success and mercy as he prepared to approach King Artaxerxes with a request to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah knew that without divine intervention, his mission would be impossible. The king’s favor was not something to be taken for granted, especially when it came to matters concerning a distant and rebellious province.
As Nehemiah prayed, his heart was filled with a sense of purpose. He understood that God had placed him in the king’s court for such a time as this. Though he was far from Jerusalem, he was not far from God’s plan. The Lord had heard the cries of His people, and He was preparing to use Nehemiah as an instrument of restoration.
Days turned into weeks, and Nehemiah continued to fast and pray, seeking God’s guidance. He knew that the task ahead would not be easy. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem would require not only the king’s permission but also the cooperation of the Jewish people and the courage to face opposition from their enemies. Yet, Nehemiah’s faith was unwavering. He trusted in the God who had brought His people out of Egypt, who had sustained them in the wilderness, and who had promised to restore them.
One evening, as Nehemiah stood before the king to present his wine, Artaxerxes noticed the sorrow etched on his cupbearer’s face. “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart,” the king observed. Nehemiah’s heart raced. This was the moment he had been praying for. With a silent plea for God’s help, he replied, “Let the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
The king, moved by Nehemiah’s distress, asked, “What are you requesting?” Nehemiah, emboldened by faith, made his request: “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” To his amazement, the king granted his request, even providing letters of safe passage and materials for the rebuilding.
Thus began Nehemiah’s journey to Jerusalem, a journey fueled by prayer, faith, and a deep love for God’s people. The broken walls of Jerusalem would rise again, not by human strength alone, but by the hand of God working through a humble cupbearer who dared to believe that the Lord could do the impossible. And so, the story of Nehemiah reminds us that when God’s people cry out to Him in faith, He hears, He answers, and He moves mightily on their behalf.
