Be Bold like Nehemiah

I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests

Nehemiah 2:7-8

Just a few verses before these Nehemiah has taken his own life into his hands. He is a cupbearer for the king, part of the conquered people of God living in exile in a foreign land. And he has just asked the King of Persia to give him time off from work so he can go rebuild Jerusalem (vs 5). This is no small request. It must have been a completely unheard of and absurd scenario for a cupbearer to make such a request of the king. And yet, the king was gracious to Nehemiah! In verse six he basically asks Nehemiah how much time off he thinks he will need. Can you imagine?!

But then the unthinkable really happens. Already, Nehemiah could have been severely punished or even killed for his presumption to make such a request, yet he finds the boldness and faith double down and ask for more! In verses seven and eight above, Nehemiah asks for all the incidentals he will need to accomplish his purpose. He asks the king for guarantees of safe passage and all the lumber he needs to rebuild the city wall, gates, and a personal residence for himself. Nehemiah will be gone long enough to build himself a house! And because of God’s grace, the King of Persia actually grants this request as well. He essentially writes Nehemiah a blank check for all the lumber he could need.

If Nehemiah could be so bold in making requests of a pagan king who had no reason to grant his desires, then why can't you be bold in prayer before God? How much more ought the child of God to be bold to ask his Heavenly Father for all that his heart desires (if what he desires is good and right)? Approach the throne with boldness and ask for all you need! God delights in providing for His children. It is not bothersome to Him to hear the requests of His children. Be careful not to be worldly or selfish but be bold like Nehemiah and ask for everything you need!