When We are Waiting on God’s Timing
“And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me” (Nehemiah 2:8)
Nehemiah had laid his requests before God, pouring out his heart in prayer.
There was sadness within his soul and the burden he had for his people living in exile. These were the issues that plagued Nehemiah’s mind, and they were precious in the sight of God.
After, as he stood in the presence of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Nehemiah’s heart was engulfed in sorrow, which was apparent in his appearance.
Nehemiah’s people (the Israelites) in Jerusalem (who had been conquered by the Babylonians, then taken by the Persians) were still living in a broken city, the great wall had crumbled, and the gates were destroyed by fire (Neh. 1:3).
Meanwhile, Nehemiah worked under the king, serving as a trusted wine bearer. He would taste the wine before King Artaxerxes to ensure that the king’s enemies did not taint it as a way to abolish him. It was an honorable position that only a man of exceptional character could carry forth. Yet, Nehemiah’s heart was with his people, but his trust was with the Lord.
The king noticed his wine bearer’s troubled disposition. So he inquired as to what was bothering Nehemiah.
Sorrow was momentarily replaced with fear at the king’s question. This was not to be taken lightly. It sounds kind, even sympathetic. However, the seriousness of this inquiry was very real.
The power of the rulers at that time was immense. The displeasure of a specific worker, particularly one who was part of the conquered nation, could result in extermination.[1]
In terror, Nehemiah voiced his concerns before the king.
“May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” (Neh. 2:3).
The king asked further: “What is your request?” (Neh. 2:4).
Upon hearing this, Nehemiah saw what was happening. It was a golden opportunity placed before him by the Lord.
He had laid the requests before the Lord, asking not to be forgotten. But Nehemiah left the outcome of his requests to God, trusting in His perfect timing.
This was the moment Nehemiah had waited for. All he had to do was take hold of it.
Nehemiah sought the God of Heaven in prayer and then rose to the occasion. He presented his requests to the king.
He asked to go to Jerusalem to aid his people in building their wall. This was a bold move, as King Artaxerxes was the one who had ordered for the building to be ceased (Ezra 4:17-24). Through lies, the king believed it to be a threat to the safety of the Persian Empire. Nehemiah was essentially asking Artaxerxes to revoke his own policy[2]
What did the king do? Not only did he agree to let Nehemiah go back, but the Bible states:
“it pleased the king to send me (Nehemiah)” (Neh. 2:6).
After specific requests were given in addition (to ensure the material and proper passage were granted), the king answered him.
Nehemiah wrote: “And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.” (Neh. 2:8). Thus, Nehemiah gave all the credit for the king’s response to the Lord.
In uncovering the depth of this passage, and the historical context, several points stood out to me, which I believe are imperative in relation to the Christian life. And specifically, to revival.
Waiting on God’s Timing
The primary lesson that we can glean from this passage is that we must wait on the Lord, just as Nehemiah did.
He did not try to force an outcome but rather laid his requests at the feet of God. Nehemiah surrendered his timing and plan and looked to the Lord for guidance, trusting in His perfect plan.
As Christians, we are granted the same assurance.
We can “know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
It may be challenging to lay down our own will, way of living, and desires and instead look for God’s plan. I know I have found it difficult at times.
Yet, I know that whenever I have surrendered something to God, I have never regretted it. Though it may not be easy, I trust His plans are for good, to give hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
Extending from the concept of waiting, we must apply these practical truths to our daily lives as Christians.
First, a season of waiting should always be surrounded by prayer
Feeling the weight of sorrow for the burdens within his heart (seen in chapter 1), Nehemiah began by first seeking the Father in prayer.
He encountered what many of us face when in a season of uncertainty: fear.
We see this directly in Nehemiah’s conversation with the king. And what was his response? To go, again, to the Lord in prayer. Before acting, he pursued God, seeking the wisdom only God could provide.
Likewise, when we enter a season of waiting, prayer ought to be our first and continued response. Humbly recognizing our own limitations, we must exchange our own understanding for His wisdom by continually placing His plan above our own desires.
Second, waiting also includes a call to action.
Nehemiah showcased that waiting does not dismiss work. He did not try to force an outcome, but he was not absent in preparation and action.
He continued in his daily life and then proceeded to plan for the journey. By the time the king granted permission to go back to Jerusalem, Nehemiah knew exactly what he had needed. [3]
As believers, we can follow this example. Wisdom tells us to think ahead and plan. Yet, because we have God as the authority in our lives, we are invited to hold our plans with an open hand. In other words, to be open to the Lord redirecting us so that our dreams align with His perfect plan.
There is no simple formula for discerning between when to stay or when to go. A relationship does not work this way. We are in a relationship with God, which includes constant communication.
As Scripture states:
“a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecc. 3:5-6).
There is a time for everything. And in this, we as believers can find rest in the wait and trust that God will guide us if we seek Him with all our hearts. For God loves us so much and desires our best.
We can pray, continually seek His face, and carefully plan while being open, all while waiting on God’s perfect timing.
Revival
This applies to revival as well. Some are waiting for God to meet us communally in a way He has before.
While our intent ought not to be duplication but rather an openness to the Lord’s sovereign will, we also are invited into prayer. To ask God to come and do it again.
As Nehemiah exemplified, we can prepare by diligently seeking Him, reading His Word, and committing ourselves to prayer.
And then we wait.
Blessings,
[1] James Montgomery Boice. Nehemiah: An Expositional Commentary. BakerBooks, 2006.
[2] Boice.
[3] Boice.