Real Men Do Cry

YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE Nehemiah 2 & 3 Nehemiah, like all great leaders, encountered opposition. The way he responded has lessons for us. The powerful, who at first glance seem invincible, can be moved by prayer. It is also true that obstacles are often overcome by careful preparation. Finally there are five principles that emerge for engaging people in the work God has called us to do. THE PRAYER THAT MOVES KINGS [2:1 - 10] [i] The King’s questions In April 445 BC [“Nissan”], the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ rule in the Persian Empire, Nehemiah the cupbearer to the king [1:11] showed his sad face at court. Nehemiah admits “I have never been sad in his presence before” [1:1]. Three questions were put to Nehemiah. “Why so sad?” [2:2] . Encouraged by the king’s discernment of sorrow of heart in his servant, Nehemiah replied and shared Hanani’s report [1:3] on the state of Jerusalem; that the city lay in ruins and the gates had been burnt [2:3]. Boldness in issuing such a challenging statement might have been taken as an implied threat, but Nehemiah was encouraged by months of prayer and the faithfulness of a mighty God; a far greater king than any earthly ruler. He also spoke truthfully and simply, a strategy which obviously appealed to the King and grabbed his attention. “What do you want?” [2:4]. The king acknowledged a cry for help and confronted his servant with the enquiry. In response to fear and interrogation Nehemiah “prayed to the God of heaven”. Then he was able to answer the king with truth and directness. “ Send me home to rebuild the city” [2:5]. Dominant rule operates on a formula where rulers have ideas and servants put those ideas into effect, whatever the personal cost may be. Nehemiah spoke with the man because he had spoken first to the Great King of Heaven. “How long will you be away?”. While accepting Nehemiah’s proposal and showing sensitivity for his feelings, the king was concerned for his own security in the absence of his food taster. The poison cup is as deadly as the assassin’s sword or arrow. Margot Woelk, along with fourteen other healthy young women in their early twenties never met the dictator Adolph Hitler, but she was vitally related to him throughout the last few years of his life. Every morning from mid 1942, she was forced to eat the food prepared for Hitler, who feared that British spies would poison him. Once tested the food was packaged and taken to the Fuhrer. At the age of 96 Margot still has nightmares about those days! But for the grace of God King Artaxerxes’ fears for his own life in the absence of his foreign food taster could have led to his refusal to give permission for the man’s absence. Nehemiah rejoiced in the king’s permission and confidently “set a time”. [ii] Nehemiah’s Requests These were realistic and grateful. He sought letters of safe conduct to the governors of the Trans-Euphrates regions [2:7] and requisitions for timber from the royal forests [2:8] to provide security [gates] and shelter [housing] in Jerusalem. Nehemiah testified, “God’s good hand was upon me; and the king granted my requests.” The lesson is clear. Direct your prayer to God [2:4] and, only then, make requests to powerful people [2:5, 7-8]. When gifts are received, give glory to God [2:8]. The king also gave Nehemiah an armed escort [2:9] so that he enjoyed safety in travel and all the benefits of a king’s ambassador. This earthly ruler’s dealing with God’s servant Nehemiah reflects the way in which God himself deals with people. [Ephesians 3:20] [iii] The Enemies’ Displeasure The first rule of progress is that you cannot please everyone. Sanballot a future governor of Samaria, and Tobiah an Ammonite with the Hebrew name which means ‘God is good’, were “disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites” [2:10]. Racial prejudice and political expediency are blind to the leading of God’s Spirit. These men were consumed by both afflictions, so they opposed Nehemiah.