How Does The Call of Ministry Come? Part 2

Nehemiah

(Nehemiah 1)

          Nehemiah’s call into ministry came a little differently than Noah’s.  Nehemiah was at work one day.  His friend, Hanani, and some of the other brethren, decided to pay him a visit.  As they talked, Nehemiah asked how things were going back home.  The report was not a good one.

And they said unto me, The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire. (Nehemiah 1:3)

          When he heard the report from his friends, Nehemiah sat down and cried, his heart was so full.  He then fasted for a number of days.  As he fasted, he prayed to God. 

          Nehemiah’s prayer revealed one very powerful thing about him: he knew the Word of God and the God of the Word. 

          He began his prayer acknowledging Who God was and how great He was. In other words, Nehemiah worshipped God before he asked him for anything (verse 5).  He then confessed the sins of his people, the nation of Israel.  

Not only did he confess the sins of the nation of Israel, but he also confessed his own sins (verses 6-7).  He continued on by reminding God of what God had said to Moses (verses 8-9).  He reminded God that Israel was His and that He was their Redeemer (verse 10). 

          By the time he had finished fasting and praying, Nehemiah had received direction from God on what he was to do.  How do I know that? verse 11,

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who delight to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.  For  I was the king’s cupbearer.  (verse 11)