YOU HAVE INFLUENCE

• DAY 197
• FAITH FILE: NEHEMIAH
• SCRIPTURES: NEHEMIAH 1:1-4

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven

Nehemiah was born during the exile but he had become the cupbearer of the sitting king. Being the cupbearer of a king is not a small feat. People that hold this kind of position are influential, highly trusted, held in high esteem, and well-paid. Kings trust them with their life, they have daily direct access to the king and they have the king’s favor. Like we see with the butler in Joseph’s time that suggested Joseph to Pharaoh and he listened, you can assume that their suggestions carry weight before Kings.  We also see that Nehemiah was loved by his king, so much that his sadness was noticed. (Nehemiah 2:1-2)

Being sad before the king is an offense punishable by death but this sadness was too overwhelming for Nehemiah to hide. And we are told why he was sad. He received news that his people, the exiles that had returned to Jerusalem, were in distress, all was not going well with them. Israel had rebuilt the altar and rebuilt the temple, but there was no wall, the people had not fully rebuilt and there was still conflict from the enemies that occupied the land in their absence. This news hurt his heart.

Concerned and Affected

You can know what someone is concerned about by what affects them. Most of us when we “arrive,” we lose concern. We become desensitized. We conclude that if it doesn’t affect us personally it’s not our business. And this is not how people of faith are. A person of faith is concerned about God’s eternal plan and purpose concerning their nation. As we see that in Daniel, we also see that in Nehemiah. 

How does your heart respond to God’s agenda? When you hear that your nation and the people in your nation are in distress, what is your reaction? What is your next line of action when you hear that there is invasion in the north, slaughter in the south, and harassment in the east? Do you take it up to God to pray? Do you seek the well-being of the people? While living abroad, what’s your response when you hear that the people from whence you came are having a certain level of distress? 

Pray First

The first thing Nehemiah was to pray. He knew that he had access to God. And he used it.

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. - Nehemiah 1:4-6

Prayer first is the wisest thing anyone can do. And sometimes that’s all you can do. Daniel prayed. He couldn’t rebuild the city because it wasn’t time. He wasn’t in that era but his prayers were. So beloved, pray. That’s something you can do.

Use Your Influence

After Nehemiah prayed, God gave him an opening with the king and he seized the opportunity to make a request to return and build his nation and it was granted him. His courage brought a revolution. God used the influence he had access to. A couple of us would not have had the courage to make such a request because it could lead to death. But he prayed and trusted God.

Beloved, you have influence in the place of prayer, you have access to the throne room. Start there. But you also have influence in other areas. Maybe not like Nehemaih but you have access to something. Use it! It may be your job, position, the resources at your disposal, money, social media, a platform, whatever. Prayer will grant you the wisdom the harness its hidden opportunity and make a change. Rahab had the profession that granted her access to the gate and gave her the knowledge of how to bring people in and out of her place discreetly. Yeah, it was prostitution, but she used it (I am not endorsing the career). Jael had the position of a housewife and the skill of hanging up tents. Use your influence, you have access to something.

Take up courage ask and say, God, I want to do something about this. And he will grant you wisdom.

Shalom