Is it POSSIBLE? That God can use anyone willing to believe the impossible? ABSOLUTELY yes!
In the book of Nehemiah, God uses Nehemiah to do marvelous things. God places His people in strategic positions so that God can accomplish His purpose on the earth. During Nehemiah’s time, God used him to bring about the reconstruction of the wall in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah was the cupbearer of the Persian King Artaxerxes I. To hold the position of cupbearer you had to be trusted by the King. Nehemiah held the King’s life in his very hands every day. During this time, cupbearers would taste the King’s food or drink the King’s drink to ensure that it was safe to eat and wasn’t poisoned because assassinations were quite common. Many people wanted the political power that come from being the King and were willing to do anything to gain that power. Nehemiah’s job held an enormous responsibility and Nehemiah put his life in jeopardy as well.
Cupbearers usually were foreigners and became trusted confidants of the King they served. Because of the position, cupbearers enjoyed political privileges and prestige. Because of the nature of the job, it was in the best interest of the King to keep his cupbearer happy. Any request made by the cupbearer was listened to carefully and their wishes frequently granted.
Nehemiah’s job situation worked to his advantage. Nehemiah was very concerned about Jerusalem and confided in King Artaxerses concerning the situation in Jerusalem. Nehemiah requested time off to return to Jerusalem to assist in rebuilding the city (Nehemiah 2:3-5). Not only did King Artaxerses allow Nehemiah to take time off to return to Jerusalem, the King also supplied Nehemiah’s safe entrance back to Judah and the timber needed to rebuild the city along with a home for Nehemiah to live in (Nehemiah 2:7-8).
While rebuilding the wall, a group confronted Nehemiah and told him that they were telling the King that Nehemiah was rebelling against the King and wanted to be King himself (Nehemiah 6:5-9). Nehemiah did not fear these men because of the relationship he had with the King. Nehemiah must have been comforted by the fact of his close association with King Artaxerxes and the trust that his years of service had earned.
God was able to put Nehemiah in a strategic position to rebuild Jerusalem and to provide the needed protection and resources needed to accomplish God’s goal. God puts each of us in strategic positions every day to accomplish His work on this earth. Don’t think that your job is too menial or that you cannot be used for the will of God. If God wants you to act in your current position, He will provide the means to do so.
QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES TODAY?
- Where has God placed me in order to accomplish His purposes?
- What position and responsibilities do I hold that might be useful to bring about good?
- Like Nehemiah, am I in prayer about what God is doing in the world?
- Am I prayerfully considering to leverage my influence to bring about God’s will on this earth?
- If change is required, am I willing to change to advance God’s kingdom?
Is it POSSIBLE? Yes, with God all things are Possible.
Tony on the Border 