Asking Boldly, Serving Faithfully Where We Are
Nehemiah 1:10-11; Esther 4:14
At the end of Nehemiah 1, we come across a sentence that almost feels like a passing detail:
“Now I was cupbearer to the king.”
But this is not a throwaway statement. Hold on to that thought.
Nehemiah has just spent days mourning, fasting, and praying over the condition of Jerusalem. He begins his prayer by acknowledging who God is—the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant and shows faithful love. He asks God to listen. He confesses the sins of Israel, his family, and his own sin. He remembers God’s promise that even if His people were scattered because of their unfaithfulness, He would gather them again if they returned to Him.
Then Nehemiah says something significant in verse 10:
“They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.”
These are God’s people.
Jerusalem is broken. The walls are destroyed, and the people have experienced failure, loss, and disgrace. But Nehemiah remembers that none of those things have changed who they belong to.
That truth gives Nehemiah confidence to pray boldly.
He says, “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
Nehemiah serves one of the most powerful rulers in the world, yet before the God of heaven, the king is still simply “this man.” Nehemiah understands where ultimate authority rests. His hope is not ultimately in the king’s power, his own influence, or his access to the palace. His confidence is in God.
Then the chapter closes with that seemingly simple detail: “I was cupbearer to the king.”
That sentence may seem like little more than Nehemiah telling us what he did for a living. But as the story continues, we discover that his position is anything but insignificant. God had placed Nehemiah near someone with the authority and resources to make a difference in Jerusalem. His vocation would become part of the way God answered the prayer he had just prayed.
Before Nehemiah ever rebuilds a wall, organizes workers, or develops a plan, God has already placed him somewhere significant.
His position will become part of God’s answer to his prayer.
That invites us to consider something as we pray for CVC and for what God may want to do through us in the years ahead:
What if where God has placed us is part of His answer to what we are praying for?
When we think about building up and multiplying God’s Kingdom, it can be easy to think first about church programs, ministry teams, missionaries, pastors, or organized opportunities. Those things matter, but God’s people spend most of their lives outside the walls of the church.
God has placed His people everywhere.
Some of us are students. Some work in construction. Others are accountants, teachers, nurses, business owners, or retirees. We live in neighborhoods, attend schools, walk onto job sites, sit in offices, lead organizations, raise families, and interact with people throughout Northeast Ohio every week.
Those places are not disconnected from God’s purposes.
Perhaps during this season of prayer and fasting, one of the questions before us is not simply, “What should CVC do next?” but, “God, where have You already placed Your people?”
Before we rush into action, we can bring those places before Him.
Nehemiah didn’t begin by leveraging his position. He began by surrendering himself to God in prayer. He remembered that the people belonged to God, that the work belonged to God, and that even the king before him ultimately stood under God’s authority.
The same is true for us.
We are God’s people. The mission belongs to Him. And wherever He has placed us, we can make ourselves available to His purposes.
As we pray for God to build up His church and multiply His Kingdom through CVC, perhaps our prayer can begin here:
God, these are Your people. You have placed us where we are. Help us see those places with fresh eyes, and prepare us to be used however You choose.
Question to Consider
Where has God placed you in this season, and how might He be preparing to use that position, relationship, or opportunity for His Kingdom purposes?
Prayer Prompt
Prayer for Availability: Ask God to show you how where He has placed you right now might connect to the vision He is unfolding at CVC, and to reveal one faithful step you can take in that place He has positioned you.
