For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
(Psalm 84:11 NIV)
I heard this phrase in a devotional the other day that I’ve been mulling over. “Teaching by the Spirit is very simple because we come as a child.” This phrase dovetails with some other things I’ve been thinking about because tonight as I write this I am weary. My Current Big Project weighs on me. My Multi-year Big Project needs attention. My house needs a deep sort and clean. My list could go on; you may have your own list.
Sometimes when things seem heavy it’s because we have to quit what we’re doing, take a step back, and allow Holy Spirit to cover the work with God’s favor. Then comes ease and freedom in what we are doing.
Yet, God’s favor can still be upon us even when the calling and task is hard. Nehemiah, a Jewish cup-bearer for the Persian King Artaxerxes, had that experience.
“The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: …Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:…”Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of [the King].”
Have you ever asked God for success? Or for favor?
“…The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” … And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.”
Nehemiah prayed, went boldly but humbly to the king, and made his request. When it was answered he gave God credit for blessing him with favor.
“I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.” (from Nehemiah 1 & 2 NIV)
Nehemiah could never have led the rebuilding of the walls without the King’s favor. Firstly, he would not have been allowed to leave his position, much less have been given the official documents and money to do the job. This happened because of the favor of God upon him. (Side Note: Artaxerxes may have been the son or stepson of Queen Esther. If so, her influence probably made it more likely that he would accept the Jew Nehemiah’s request for the leave of absence – and then shower him with money and other resources to fulfill the rebuilding plan. )
Nehemiah still had to do the work to organize labor and resources so the walls could be rebuilt. He still had to deal with enemies who did not want the walls rebuilt. He still had to recruit, organize, and arm the workers with tools and weapons so they could be prepared for anything while they worked. Ultimately, because of God’s favor and King Artaxerxes’s favor, Nehemiah’s leadership and work led to the walls and gates that sheltered Jerusalem being rebuilt.
Favor can look different in different situations. But when Holy Spirit guides us we can do what God calls us to do, no matter the size of our Big Projects.
May we know the favor of God upon us today.
Holy Spirit,
Thank you for pouring out your guidance, wisdom, and favor upon your children. Thank you for blessing those you love, giving them all they need. Today we pray for more of your blessing, honor, favor, and power to be showered upon and within us so that we can easily do what you have called us to do. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12 NIV)