The king asked, “What do you want me to do? ”I prayed to the God who rules from heaven.
Then I asked, “Your Majesty, would you be willing to give me letters to the governors of the provinces west of the Euphrates River, so that I can travel safely to Judah? I will need timber to rebuild the gates of the fortress near the temple and more timber to construct the city wall and to build a place for me to live. And so, I would appreciate a letter to Asaph, who is in charge of the royal forest.” God was good to me, and the king did everything I asked.
Memory Verse: I am everywhere, both near and far Jeremiah 23:23
There are different ways of communicating and getting messages across to people. Many years back before mobile phones became a thing, people hand wrote letters and sent them through travellers to deliver to the intended final destination, which in most cases was a success. The more interesting part was the life lived by people in West Africa, most particularly Nigerians. There was usually a community land telephone line which everyone used, and people of that community get allocated time slots to speak to their loved ones who lived abroad. During those times there was really no way of getting any urgent messaging through to folks abroad, you simply had to wait your turn and pray no emergencies happens before your turn the next day.
Just like those days, people needed a priest to get through to God. In the story of the children of Israel and their journey to the promise land, the Israelites relied strongly on Moses as a means to get through to God. Moses was their intermediary and without the voice of Moses, the people believed that have not heard God speak.
Things have quickly progressed round the world; more people have access to mobile phone devices, giving them instant access to information and communication as soon as its needed and in like manner, the world has evolved spiritually. Jesus had paved the way for access to God without any intermediary, Matthew 25.
Nehemiah did not have time to take any special position before responding to the King, but he shot an arrow prayer which he got a response to almost immediately. Because of the no barrier situation, Nehemiah was able to say a quick word of prayer, and that was all he needed to get God’s blessing and the King’s unlimited support.
Many times, we act like we still live in the days of old and have to wait a particular time or take a certain position before God can hear us. It ought not to be so in this age and time because if we study God’s word diligently, we will realise Jesus shot arrow prayers several times. When Jesus fed 5000, all He did was look up toward heaven and bless the food- the miracle happened Matthew 14:19. The same manner, he prayed to God when Lazarus was to be raised from the dead.
We have been given the access and authority to call upon the name of the Lord as often as required. Come unto me the Lord said, He even promised to give you and I rest if we need it. All we need to do is let praying and waiting on God become a way of life and we have to “Get in the habit of speaking to God all the time as He is Omnipresence”.
PRAYERS:
- Father, you are a forever loving God and for your love I am grateful.
- I thank you for dying for me on the cross giving me access to God the Father.
- Forgive my sins Lord and create in me a clean heart.
- Father, help me to pray without ceasing and pray prevailing prayers.
- Father, help me to get in the habit of speaking to you and dwelling in your presence.
- Father, make me an evidence of answers prayers.
- Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name I Pray, Amen.
