Reading
SAA Notes
A cupbearer to a king is one of the most trusted officials – the king trusts him with his life every day. There were a number of Iranian kings called Artaxerxes. Without its walls, Jerusalem was open to every bandit raid on its inhabitants by the bikie/camel gangs of the day from the surrounding non-Jewish tribes.
SJA Notes
* God in Heaven, mark us as people who bind Your teaching on our heart always, treasuring Your commandments.
“And the king said to me, ‘What are you requesting?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I say to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, …'”
How important prayer is for us!
Here with Nehemiah we have a clear example of the practical nature of prayer.
Nehemiah prayed in the middle of a conversation!
Perhaps it was a close of the eyes, or a bow of the head for a moment.
What we know is that at a critical junction point Nehemiah prayed – The king had asked him a weighty question.
This is a wonderful encouragement for us, patterning how we are to be about prayer.
* Dear God Above,
Thank You that we can come to You in prayer.
You are the one, true and ever-blessed God. There is none like You.
You have chosen us, saved us, called us and sanctify us.
Help us to take the opportunities You give to tell people the good news of Jesus!
Amen.