This is certainly not a favourite action in our world today. When you mention waiting, it is likened to eternity. Nobody likes to wait, it does not matter how patient one can be, waiting is a struggle for everyone. In our fast-paced and technologically advanced world, waiting has no place at all. We have become experts at finding ways to save our time. For example, we spend less time in the kitchen, less time shopping in stores, we order online for practically anything we need today and our orders come within days, and sometimes within hours. Indeed, our culture does not handle waiting too well. I have noticed that as humans, we can wait when we have control over the situation but waiting when we do not know what will happen, now that is a stretch! As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who live with heaven in mind, we are called to wait on the Lord and to do so with great expectation. The bible has too many references and promises to ‘wait on the Lord’ and what happens to those who wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31, Micah 7:7, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 37:7 to name a few). However, today, I would like us to look at the example of a man who has waited patiently for the Lord and glean from his example because we can never have too many examples on what it means to wait or on how to wait well.
The book of Nehemiah like Ezra’s is set during the Persian rule. At this time, the rebuilding of the Temple of the Lord conducted by Ezra and his friends had been completed for more than two decades. A first wave of Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem during that time. Yet, things were still not going too well for Judah, the deliverance of Jews was not complete. Even though Jerusalem was a jewish city again, the population present was not prominent enough to make the city flourish. Moreover, Jews were not the only ones living in Jerusalem, so there was a return, but not a complete one. So it is in this context that Nehemiah hears a report that the walls of the city of Jerusalem have been broken down and he is disconcerted. More than the walls, he is also told that “those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace.” (Nehemiah 1:3). Such a report is enough to make one that cares about the things of God despair. Nehemiah’s attitude is telling of his view of God and the people of God. It is not the Temple’s walls that are broken but the city’s walls, yet it is enough for Nehemiah to go into a huge distress. The level of identification leaders like Nehemiah had for their people, city and God is unmatched. Nowadays, it is practically impossible to find a leader that identifies so well with his city, country and people to the point of wailing when an incident no matter how small happens to what has been entrusted to him. It is important to note that Nehemiah was the cupbearer in the Persian king’s court which means he could not just “up and leave”, he had to ask for permission if he wanted to do anything for Jerusalem. As a cupbearer, Nehemiah also had the privilege to be in the king’s presence everyday, that access many would die for. As a good leader and one that cares about what concerns the Lord, Nehemiah was distressed and went into prayer and fasting. This is a pattern we see in leaders that God has appointed, they always humble themselves before the Lord in the same fashion. After pouring out his heart to the Lord, Nehemiah most likely went back to do his business. It was only four months after he heard the bad report about Jerusalem that he got an opportunity to help. During this time, Nehemiah was in a waiting mode. In his waiting mode, Nehemiah continued to think about what could be done for Jerusalem. He must have worked out some plans, he must have been very busy preparing for a time when an opportunity would present itself for him to go to Jerusalem. These inferences can be easily made from the interaction Nehemiah has with the Persian king at the time.
On one of his habitual work days, Nehemiah served the king with a sad face which was noticed by the king. This shows that Nehemiah’s attitude was often excellent and probably cheerful for the king to notice such a ‘minor’ change. I am convinced that Nehemiah served as well as he had been in the past, except that his heart was not in it on that day. Whatever his face looked like on that day attracted the king and he asked him why he was so sad. Nehemiah was afraid at the king’s question yet responded honourably and told the king the reason for his sadness. I have a feeling Nehemiah did not realize his sadness transpired into his physical appearance. This is the degree he was concerned about the state of Jerusalem and his people! For someone who was afraid, Nehemiah displayed great boldness that could only come from God. He was able to tell the king that the walls of the city of his fathers were broken. From his response, the king knew there was a lingering request from Nehemiah, an unspoken one. He then asks him the question Nehemiah had been hoping to hear: “What is it you want?” (Nehemiah 2:4). Like I mentioned earlier, Nehemiah had planned for this, he was prepared for such a moment because, he is able to tell the king exactly what he wants including letters to the governors of other regions he would have to pass through to get to Jerusalem without trouble. Only someone who has had the time to think and pray about a problem can come up with such requests. I believe the king granted him his requests not just because God’s favour was on him but also because his requests were clear. Nehemiah knew what he wanted and what was needed to start rebuilding the city’s walls. In his waiting time, Nehemiah was “working”. He did not just sit down and mourn, leaving the situation for the Lord to fix, no, he waited on the Lord by preparing for God’s answer. He knew his God would open the door for an opportunity to go to Jerusalem and he prepared for that day. This is a lifetime example for us Christian who live in the wait of the coming of the Lord. We are told to wait on the Lord but our waiting must be done in preparation for what the Lord would do. When the Lord comes, He must find us faithful in whatever task He has entrusted us with. Like Nehemiah, our waiting on God must be done knowing that God’s timing is the best and it will come. Ours is to be ready for that timing. Nehemiah did not take matters into his own hands, he waited for God to provide the right opportunity because as we have learned before in Ecclesiastes, there are times and seasons for everything under the sun, God has made his world like this. Oftentimes, we wonder what we can do during our time of waiting, Nehemiah shows us that we should prepare. Obviously, that preparation will look differently for different people depending on their context but it needs to be done and it shows that you are trusting the Lord in the process. Our Father in heaven is a good father who knows best when is the time to act and to provide you with the thing you are waiting on Him for. We simply need to trust Him and get ready for what we have prayed for.
I pray that you learn to wait on the Lord and learn to let Him guide you. Part of waiting on Him is surrendering your plans and wills to His. As you do that, He will show you the better way and guide you into the way everlasting. After all, we who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ no longer live for ourselves but for Christ so we should not have a will of our own. I know this is easier said than done so may the Lord grant us the grace to wait on Him well. Amen!
A Word Aptly Spoken 