Nehemiah 1:11
‘”Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.’
‘”Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.’
It is the mid-5th century BC and although the Jerusalem temple has been rebuilt after the Babylonian exile the city walls lay in ruins. It was a source of shame for the returning exiles, and for Nehemiah. As a cupbearer, checking for poisoned drink and food, he had privileged access to the ruling foreign king, Artaxerxes. However, the request for leave and resources to rebuild the walls was preceded by mourning, fasting and prayer.
Reflection
What should we do to prepare for our own important ‘today’?
QUOTE FOR TODAY
… we wait with hope. We work with hope. And we worship with hope.
(Glenn Packiam, Worship and the World to Come, p. 2)