Much is required ∙∙

Much is required ∙∙

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return, and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. – Luke 12:48

Nehemiah 2:1-8

1 I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence.
2 So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified,
3 but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
The king asked, “How can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven,

5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.
7 I also said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.
8 And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to provide me with timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests because the gracious hand of God was on me.

The Designated Survivor

The Presidential Succession Act was established in 1947 to guarantee the continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic emergency, such as a nuclear attack. Central to this plan is the concept of a designated survivor. This individual is chosen from the presidential line of succession and safeguarded in a distant, undisclosed location whenever the President and other high-ranking officials gather in a single location. Should a tragedy occur that eliminates the President and others in the line of succession, the designated survivor steps into the role of President of the United States, ensuring continuity of leadership.

This critical mechanism gained public attention through the TV series “Designated Survivor” (2016–2019). Kiefer Sutherland played Thomas Kirkman, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who unexpectedly ascends to the presidency after a devastating attack wipes out the government’s leadership. Thrust into the most pivotal role in the world, Kirkman must rise to the challenge and fulfill the immense responsibilities of the presidency.

Growing into Responsibility

How does the Father prepare us for significant responsibilities? Simple. He entrusts us with responsibility and allows us to grow through the process. By learning to fulfill small duties faithfully, we develop the skills and character needed to handle greater challenges. Jesus illustrates this principle in Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.”

The Father has a master plan for each of our lives. He equips us with the natural talents, life experiences, and spiritual gifts necessary to accomplish the tasks He sets before us.

God’s Strategy for His Children

The Father’s approach is not one-size-fits-all. Some of His children come with limited resources, talents, or social standing, yet He calls them for His purposes. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:26, “Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.”

The other children of the King are given abundant abilities, insights, and resources to fulfill their calling. Paul, for example, possessed intellectual brilliance, spiritual depth, wisdom, and revelation. He had tremendous perseverance, that is, an unrelenting determination to complete every task the Father placed before him. Through God’s grace, he was empowered and accomplished much. His life was a testament to using God-given strengths for the Father’s glory.

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:4-6 highlight his qualifications: “I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason to be confident in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. … And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.”

Yet, Paul recognized that all his achievements and abilities ultimately came from God’s grace. He stated in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me, and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.”

The Power of Weakness

How is Paul enabled to fulfill his calling despite the hardships he faced? He discovered the powerful connection between weakness and dependence on the Father. Instead of focusing on his strengths, Paul embraced his weaknesses as an opportunity to experience God’s strength working through him.

Paul explains this “open secret” in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where the Lord assured him,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. … For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The Father often works most powerfully during our moments of inadequacy. In doing so, he demonstrates that our strength comes from Him.

Our success depends not on our abilities, status, or resources, but on God’s perfect provision and strategy. He prepares each child of the King to rise to their calling and fulfill all He has planned.

REFLECT & PRAY

What allowed Paul to achieve his remarkable successes? He realized a profound truth. Rather than concentrating on his strengths, Paul chose to focus on his weaknesses. In embracing his weaknesses, he became strong through the power and authority of the God (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Father, thank You for making me weak so that I would find strength in You. Thank You for the grace and strength only You can provide.

INSIGHT

Nehemiah’s Role in the Persian Court

Nehemiah, a trusted cupbearer to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, held a position that required him to be in the king’s presence daily. This unique role allowed him to build trust with the king while presenting opportunities for meaningful dialogue. When travelers from Judah brought news of Jerusalem’s dire state, Nehemiah’s heart ached. The city’s walls were decimated, leaving it vulnerable and in ruins.

Burdened by this knowledge, Nehemiah turned to the Father in fervent prayer, seeking the Father’s favor and guidance to restore Jerusalem and its walls. His prayer, as recorded in Nehemiah 1:5-11, serves as a powerful model for every child of the King, demonstrating humility, dependence, and a clear vision.

A Bold Plan is Born

Nehemiah prayed for four months, asking for wisdom and favor. During this period, the Father heard Nehemiah’s cries and, in His perfect timing, responded. He placed a detailed plan in his heart. He clearly declared in Nehemiah 2:12, “I told no one what my God had put into my mind to do for Jerusalem.” Nehemiah undoubtedly thought through the steps of action that were needed to carry out the Father’s plan.

Finally, the big day came, and after four months, Nehemiah got his chance. One day, while serving in the king’s court, Nehemiah’s sadness was evident. King Artaxerxes noticed his gloomy demeanor and asked what troubled him. This was the opening Nehemiah had been waiting for.

Nehemiah poured out his heart to the king, explaining his grief over the state of Jerusalem. Then came the pivotal moment. He boldly requested permission to leave Susa and rebuild Jerusalem, along with the necessary resources to complete the task. The king granted everything Nehemiah asked for without hesitation. Artaxerxes even went further, providing letters of safe passage, materials from the royal forests, and protection for Nehemiah’s travels to Jerusalem.

Insights from Nehemiah’s Journey

Nehemiah’s story offers two key lessons for us to remember when seeking the Father’s strength and favor.

First, although he had been praying for months, when it came time to answer the king’s question, Nehemiah responded with a flash prayer, a quick prayer for insight and the words to speak before he answered. As recorded in Nehemiah 2:4, “So I prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah remained connected to the Father moment by moment.

Second, Nehemiah humbly acknowledged that his prayers were answered because of the Father’s gracious hand upon him. His faith and trust were rooted in the understanding that all success came from the Father’s provision, as he notes in Nehemiah 2:8, “The king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.”

Preparation and Faithfulness

From a human perspective, Nehemiah was given an overwhelming assignment. He had no formal training for rebuilding walls or leading such a massive undertaking. He didn’t attend a “wall reconstruction seminar.” Yet, Nehemiah was uniquely prepared through his personal relationship with the Father, a faithful heart, and years of consistent service.

His preparation wasn’t found in technical skills but in living a life that pleased the Father. Proverbs 16:7 reminds us of this principle: “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Nehemiah rose to the challenge one brick at a time, propelled by faith.

Learning from Biblical Leaders

In the Father’s kingdom, on-the-job training may take a significant portion of a person’s life. Some servants of God undergo years, even decades, of preparation before stepping into their calling. Leaders like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David each spent extended periods in isolation, hardship, unproductiveness, or even life-threatening dilemmas. These experiences prepared them for their roles in God’s greater plan.

On the other hand, someone like Daniel appeared to be “born-ready,” stepping into a place of leadership and influence with immediate strength and wisdom.

When the Father entrusts His children with extraordinary abilities and responsibilities, greater expectations and standards are placed upon them. Every high calling comes with high accountability. They were held to a higher standard.

Addressing Excuses

Too often, we resist the Father’s call and offer the Father excuses for our unwillingness to respond in faith borne out of self-doubt, inadequacy, lack of skill or preparation, and fear. But the Father anticipates these excuses and already has an answer prepared to encourage each child of the King to follow His lead.

Proverbs 21:1 illustrates His control over every situation: “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

This assurance reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, capable of moving even the hearts of kings.

Takeaway

Nehemiah’s story teaches us a powerful truth, beautifully captured in the words of Hudson Taylor: “It is possible to move men through God by prayer alone.”

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© Dr. H 2025