Nehemiah
1:11 "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 desire 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."
Though
Nehemiah's prayer was based upon the promise of God, he did not automatically
assume God would hear and answer. Yes, there is confidence to be had when we
use God's Word to pray, but it is to be done from the heart. Our prayers should
originate from a sense of need and reverence for the Almighty God.
He
was praying on behalf of a people who loved the Lord and honored Him.
"Lord, we lift your name in the highest sense of honor and respect. We do
not assume anything; rather, we desire to worship and walk in your will for
us."
Then
Nehemiah revealed to us his social position. "For I was the king's
cupbearer." He is telling us he was realizing that his place in the
king's court did not qualify him to be heard as he made this prayer to
God. The king's cupbearer was very expendable. He was the one who tested the
king's food and drink to make certain it was not poisoned. There would be no
grief if Nehemiah died on the job.
So
Nehemiah was leaning heavily upon the Lord's mercy as he made this prayer. This
is the position we should take as we go to the throne of grace. We are not bold
in ourselves; rather we are to be bold in God's grace. The beautiful part is
that His grace and mercy is never ending.