Grasping Opportunities

Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah carried this unresolved sorrow with him daily. He was constantly thinking about the situation in Jerusalem and calling on God, “How long, Lord? How long must this situation continue and your glory be hidden under this rubble?” Have you noticed how easily distracted from serious prayer about serious issues we are - so long as we are comfortable? We pray when we are personally stressed or discomforted, but keep our mouths shut when the living is easy.

The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness. This was the opening that Nehemiah needed in order to bring up the matter of his mission to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.

The king’s response to Nehemiah’s sadness was astonishing. He was king of the world power of that time and the situation in Israel was part of his kingdom policy, that is, to break the influence of conquered nations by stripping their resources and putting governors over groups of these smaller defeated nations. Israel was just one of broken nations in the basket of angry, disenfranchised peoples in the region.

But now the king asks Nehemiah: “What are you requesting?” God was prising open an unexpected door of opportunity and Nehemiah realised that he must not shrink back from it, even though he knew that what he wanted to do was against the current policy of the Persian kingdom.

As God creates opportunities for you to increase your part in his work, notice them and don’t shrink back. Opportunities to be involved in repairing the church right here and now could easily slide past you. The very things designed to give your life its joy, meaning and purpose might be missed. Act like Nehemiah – grasp them.