Waiting for the answer ∙∙
The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, 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.” – Nehemiah 2:4-5
Nehemiah 1:4-11
I sat down and wept. I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said, O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people, Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.
Please remember what you told your servant Moses: If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.
The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.
Life-Changing Events: Small Hinges, Big Doors
History is marked by pivotal moments that forever altered the trajectory of human life. These events, though often sparked by seemingly small or isolated actions, have had profound and far-reaching consequences.
- The Industrial Revolution (Late 18th to Early 19th Centuries): This era brought groundbreaking advancements in manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation, transforming the United States from an agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse (Quora).
- Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941): This surprise attack propelled America into World War II, reshaping the global balance of power and transforming life for millions.
- 9/11 Terrorist Attacks (September 11, 2001): These attacks not only devastated the United States but also prompted sweeping changes in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, with lasting effects on global security and politics. (Pew Research Center).
- The Hamas Attack on Israel (October 7, 2023): This event reignited global tensions and an increase in anti-Semitism, triggering chilling parallels to 1930s Germany.
Each of these events changed the trajectory of history. As Warren Wiersbe insightfully observed, “Like large doors, great life-changing events can swing on tiny hinges.”
Biblical Examples of Ordinary Moments Turned Extraordinary
Throughout Scripture, we see how God uses ordinary moments to initiate extraordinary change.
- Moses was watching over his sheep when God summoned him to guide the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3).
- David was caring for his father’s flock when he was anointed king (1 Samuel 16).
- Peter, Andrew, James, and John were repairing their fishing nets after a fruitless night when Jesus invited them to become fishers of men (Luke 5:1-11).
Similarly, Nehemiah was living an ordinary day in November 445 BC when his life took a dramatic turn.
Nehemiah’s Burden: A City in Ruins
Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, a position of trust and influence. On what seemed like an ordinary day in November in 445 BC, his brother Hanani arrived with devastating news from Jerusalem. The city’s walls, destroyed during the Babylonian invasion, remained in ruins nearly a century later. Despite the Persian king’s decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland, only a small number had done so, and they were unable to rebuild the city’s defenses. Jerusalem was vulnerable, and its people were struggling to survive.
This news broke Nehemiah’s heart. Grief-stricken, he mourned deeply for his people and his homeland.
Nehemiah 2:2-3: “So the king asked me, ‘Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.’ 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.’”
Persistent Prayer: Five Months of Faithfulness
Upon hearing the news, Nehemiah turned to God in mourning, fasting, and prayer. His faithfulness was evident in his persistence; he prayed continuously from November 445 BC to April 444 BC, a period exceeding five months.
The text does not reveal whether Nehemiah was discouraged at this time, but it’s easy to picture the weight of self-doubt and the urge to give up. When people don’t hear from God, many start to question themselves.
- Was the lack of an answer their fault?
- Were they praying incorrectly?
- Was there hidden sin or rebellion in their hearts?
In Nehemiah’s case, the answer to all these questions was a resounding no. He was in the right place, praying for the right thing, and his heart was aligned with God’s will. Furthermore, Nehemiah had access to King Artaxerxes, the earthly authority through whom God could answer his prayers.
Why the Wait?
Why did Nehemiah have to keep praying for so long without receiving an immediate answer? Why did God wait?
The Father often guides His children in how to pray, placing a spiritual burden or heaviness on their hearts. This divine nudge aligns our prayers with His will. When we pray according to His will, things begin to happen. God is always willing to act on behalf of His people, but His timing is perfect and often beyond our understanding.
Our role is to pray as we are led, trusting that God will answer in His own time. We cannot rush Him, nor can we slow Him down. His perfect timing unfolds according to His divine schedule, not ours.
Trusting God’s Timing
Nehemiah’s story is a powerful reminder of how important persistence in prayer is. Despite the delay, he stayed faithful, trusting that God would act at the right time. His prayers were eventually answered, and he was granted the opportunity to lead the effort to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.
REFLECT & PRAY.
Prayer is not a last resort but a first priority. Nehemiah’s example teaches us to remain steadfast in prayer, even when answers seem delayed. God’s timing is perfect, and His plans are always for our good.
Make prayer your first priority, not your last resort.
Father, when You lead me into periods of testing, encourage me to take the matter to You in prayer and wait for Your perfect timing.
INSIGHT
The Spiritual Discipline of Patience
The Scriptures provide profound guidance for navigating life’s unexpected challenges. One of the most important lessons is the spiritual discipline to wait patiently for the Lord’s guidance. Patience is not something you master overnight; it is developed over time through faith and perseverance.
Psalms 27:14: “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”
The Hebrew word translated as “wait” in this verse is qawwah. Its root meaning “conveys the idea of waiting or looking forward with eager expectation.” This is “not a passive or idle waiting but a confident hope,” an enduring trust that the Father will act decisively on behalf of His people. Waiting with steadfast endurance is, in itself, an act of faith.
Renewed Strength in Waiting
The Scriptures remind us that waiting on the Lord is not a time of stagnation but a period of renewal and growth.
Isaiah 40:31: “Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
As children of the King, our trust in the Father and His promises grows stronger during these seasons of waiting. It is in these moments that our faith is refined, and our integrity is reinforced. Waiting is not just about enduring time; it’s about preparing our hearts for God’s perfect timing.
Nehemiah: A Model of Faithful Waiting
Nehemiah’s story provides a strong example of waiting on the Lord with faith and persistence. When he discovered the serious condition of Jerusalem’s walls, he was deeply grieved. His immediate response was to fast and pray, asking for God’s intervention.
Nehemiah 1:4: “For many days, I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah’s waiting was not passive. Over four months, he consistently brought his concerns before God in passionate, specific prayer. During this period, God was working behind the scenes, preparing the way for Nehemiah’s request to be granted.
God’s Perfect Timing
At the end of this waiting period, King Artaxerxes observed Nehemiah’s sorrow and asked about its cause. This moment was divinely orchestrated. When Nehemiah shared his desire to help rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, the king not only approved his request but also provided the authority, materials, and funds needed for the project.
Nehemiah 2:1-11 recounts this pivotal moment: “The king granted these requests because the gracious hand of God was on me.”
Nehemiah’s story shows that while we pray and wait, God is actively working to align circumstances with His will. At the right moment, He acts, and His plans unfold perfectly.
Trusting the Process
Periods of waiting are not wasted time. They are opportunities for spiritual growth, a time to deepen our trust in God’s promises and to align our hearts with His will. Nehemiah’s example reminds us that waiting on the Lord is an active process, one that involves prayer, faith, and readiness to act when the time comes.
When faced with challenges, the question isn’t whether we will wait, but how we will wait. Will we trust in God’s timing and seek Him in prayer, as Nehemiah did? The answer depends on our willingness to embrace patience as an expression of faith, trusting that the Father is always working on our behalf.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 