This week, we have seen how Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king of Persia, responded in Nehemiah 1 when God gave him a divine burden: to see the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt. When he recognized his burden, he wept and fasted. Then, he prayed. So far in our Bible study, we saw that as he prayed, he acknowledged God's character and confessed his sin. Today, we will conclude our study of his prayer to God, which included asking God for an opportunity to do something about the burden God gave him.
As Nehemiah closed His about his divine burden, he said to God, "O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me" (verse 11). In his prayer to God, he did not just ask God to cause a miracle by resurrecting the walls of Jerusalem. He did not ask God to stir up the Israelites who were already in Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. Instead, he asked God for an opportunity to play a part in rebuilding the wall by gaining favor with the king, so he could have permission to go to Jerusalem to lead the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls. He prayed for a chance to do something about his divine burden rather than for someone else to do something about it. He wanted to play a role in restoring the walls of Jerusalem.
When God gives us divine burdens, we often feel ill-equipped and unprepared to do something about the burden God has placed on our hearts. The truth is, however, that more than skills and abilities, God is looking for those who are available and willing to serve Him. That availability is what Nehemiah demonstrated. The prophet Isaiah also demonstrated this availability in Isaiah 6. In this passage of Scripture, Isaiah had a vision from God where he saw the Lord, "sitting on a lofty throne" and being worshiped by angels (verses 1-3). In response to everything he saw, Isaiah said, “I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (verse 5). Isaiah was overcome by his own sin and the sin of his people after seeing his vision. Then, in this same vision, an angel touched Isaiah's lips with a burning coal and said, "See this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed and your sins are forgiven" (verse 7). In this remarkable vision, Isaiah received forgiveness and freedom from guilt. What happened next was extraordinary. Isaiah "heard the Lord asking, 'Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?'" (verse 8). Isaiah responded to this call, saying, "Here I am. Send me" (verse 8). Isaiah did not respond to the call because he had the best skills or the best talent. He responded because he was available. That, my friends, is what God is looking for: our availability and willingness to obey His call.
When it comes to our own divine burdens, God is still looking for our availability. We can demonstrate our availability by asking God for an opportunity to do something about our divine burdens rather than seeking someone else to do so. After all, God has given us the specific divine burdens he gives us for a reason. He also gives us the talents for a purpose so that we can do something about the burdens he places on our hearts. Rather than asking someone else to act, we should first consider how we can make a difference ourselves. After all, you never know how God might use you to make an impact in that area!
Pray once again about the divine burden that God has placed in your life. Specifically, follow Nehemiah's example today and ask God for an opportunity to make an impact. Ask Him to work and allow you to play a role in bringing restoration to the situation that is burdening you. He can use anyone, including you!
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
9 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people,
‘Listen carefully, but do not understand.
Watch closely, but learn nothing.’
10 Harden the hearts of these people.
Plug their ears and shut their eyes.
That way, they will not see with their eyes,
nor hear with their ears,
nor understand with their hearts
and turn to me for healing.”
11 Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?”
And he replied,
“Until their towns are empty,
their houses are deserted,
and the whole country is a wasteland;
12 until the Lord has sent everyone away,
and the entire land of Israel lies deserted.
13 If even a tenth—a remnant—survive,
it will be invaded again and burned.
But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down,
so Israel’s stump will be a holy seed.”
