Nehemiah was a Jewish official in the court of King Artaxerxes. When he heard of the decay of Jerusalem’s walls from the remnant of the captivity that returned there, his heart was broken. He cried out to God on behalf of His people. He fasted, prayed, and sought God’s heart, purpose and timing. Finally, after waiting for four months, he had the opportunity to go to the king to request time and resources to rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls. Nehemiah wrote that “because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (2:8). Nehemiah could approach the king with confidence because he knew God – that God is good, that He is the great King whose timing is perfect.


Waiting on God’s timing doesn’t mean doing nothing. Nehemiah fasted; he prayed; he petitioned the king. And his confidence in God grew. While you wait for God to act on your behalf, let your assurance in Him – not in the outcome – grow. Jesus made the way through the cross so we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence.”