“And I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.’” – Nehemiah 2:5

Scripture is very clear that disciples of Christ receive power from the Holy Spirit (Luk 4:14, 24:49; Acts 1:8, 10:38; 1 Thes 1:5). We receive that power so can bring God glory and accomplish his will on this earth. When we seek resources and blessing, we do so, not to benefit ourselves, but so we can use those blessings to advance God’s kingdom. If we seek to advance the kingdom of the Lord, we are to seek his guidance. God will never deprive his resources for those servants who wish to serve him.

Nehemiah goes before King Artaxerxes with a request to be sent to Jerusalem. This would include repairing the walls, the infrastructure, and the House of God. Without any debate the king agreed to send his servant for the good of God’s elect. In the following verses Nehemiah also requested the protection and full authorization of the king as well as being supplied by the kingdom to fulfill the work. Roy Gingrich said, “We as Christians should make the same threefold request of our king, King Jesus, to commission us, to protect us, and to supply us.”[1] Our Father is more inclined and more capable to enable us to serve him than any earthly king.

Every disciple of Christ should go before the King, as did Nehemiah, “If it pleases you Lord, send me.” Not all of us are called to go, but all should avail ourselves to God’s will for our lives. When we willingly come before the Lord and say, “send me,” we should never doubt our Father will provide all the resources we need to expand his kingdom and bring him glory. If you desire to expand the Lord’s kingdom your Father will be faithful to your work. When Nehemiah asked Artaxerxes for the resources to expand his kingdom he was not disappointed. How much more will Jesus Christ provide for his faithful servants?

[1] Roy E. Gingrich, The Book of Nehemiah (Memphis, TN: Riverside Printing, 1999), 10.