Nehemiah 2:1-20
The King was willing to let Nehemiah go to Jerusalem to do the work of
restoring the wall. Nehemiah made many requests to the King (passports,
materials, etc.) and the King granted them all. The reason is not simply because King Artaxerxes favoured Nehemiah. It is because God was at work (vv.8, 18), including using the King. When God works, He uses “means”, which are the methods and avenues and tools God uses.
The greatest example of God using means is in the work of Christ on the cross. In Acts 4:27-28 it is stated that wicked men put Christ to death according to God’s eternal plan and hand! If God uses wicked people and their wickedness, He is surely using His own people to do good things. Presently the government of Uganda enables freedom of worship. That is God’s work. Churches and Christians must use this freedom wisely, being diligent in advancing the Kingdom.
Meditate on verse 4. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Father, the Maker of heaven and the earth, give me the spirit to pray all the
time as prompted by the Holy Spirit. Amen.