Nehemiah 1-3

“If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah … that I may rebuild it” (2:5). Nehemiah was a Jewish exile living in Persia, and he was “cupbearer to the king” (ch1) – a position of influence and trust.  Instead of enriching himself, Nehemiah wanted to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its broken walls. “And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me” (2:8).

When our heart is set on God’s purposes, it does not matter if we are in exile or in Jerusalem (2:12). We can trust the “God of heaven” to meet our needs (2:20).