Send me

Yesterday, we read how Nehemiah was moved by something that broke God’s heart. Today, we see his opportunity to do something about it.


Nehemiah 2
1 Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, 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.”
4 The king asked, “Well, 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 please 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 give me 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.


Send me. It has been about four months since Nehemiah began asking God for an opportunity to speak with the king about the situation in Jerusalem. Finally, one presents itself. I love the fact that Nehemiah makes one final request in that moment. The key to this entire scene is that Nehemiah volunteered to go. Remember, Nehemiah was a trusted employee with a pretty good job. Why would anyone give that up for the possibility of losing their job, being considered a traitor, taking on an almost impossible project or even getting killed?! Why not suggest someone else go ... maybe someone that was a little bit more skilled at building a wall and leading an army (check out the rest of the story) ... pick anyone?! Instead, Nehemiah volunteered. He asked to be sent. If you are looking to live an extraordinary life, here are some keys from Nehemiah’s extraordinary life: 1) ask God to give you a heart for what He is passionate about; 2) ask God for an opportunity to help Him with whatever He put on your heart and 3) when the opportunity presents itself, ask God to send you.