"Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." Neh 2:2
This is a question Nehemiah was asked by king Artaxerxes. He was a cup bearer to the king. Nehemiah’s answer to the king was, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
Then the king said "What is it that you want?"
If you track back Nehemiah’s story, Nehemiah was a man who was burdened for his people and for rebuilding Jerusalem. God had given him the burden of rebuilding Jerusalem. This seemingly simple conversation Nehemiah is having with the king is the means by which God has provided Nehemiah with the building material he needed to rebuild Jerusalem. If you keep reading you will read that the king gave him all the security officers and building materials he needed for the work.
I luv Nehemiah's interpretation of the king's generosity. He said, “And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests". I envy his ability to see the hand of God working behind the scenes.
In Chapter 1 all Nehemiah had was tears in his eyes, a burden for his people, and a passionate prayer. This was not a ministry burden for personal fulfillment. His burden was founded on his love for his people. It was a godly burden.
What is your burden today? Ministry? Why?
Ministry is not a means to personal fulfillment, even though it is the most fulfilling job you can ever have.