READ: Nehemiah 2:1-8
“Wherefore the king said unto me, why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. … Then THE KING SAID UNTO ME, FOR WHAT DOST THOU MAKE REQUEST? ….” – Nehemiah 2:2-4
Serving in the presence of the king has great advantages. Nehemiah had the privilege of serving in the presence of the king Artaxerxes. One day, the king noticed that his mood had changed. When the king noticed that Nehemiah was unhappy, he asked him what his problem was. This interview with the king led to the great blessing of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah.
Wherefore the king said unto me, why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. …
Then THE KING SAID UNTO ME, FOR WHAT DOST THOU MAKE REQUEST? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. …So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Nehemiah 2:1-6
Nehemiah enjoyed one of the great benefits of serving in the presence of the king. By being in the presence of the king, a great breakthrough was achieved. Great mercy, great kindness and great tenderness were shown to Nehemiah by the king. Obviously, the king was far greater than Nehemiah. He was in a completely different world. Nehemiah was a slave, a captive. But he received great favour, just because his service was in the presence of the king.
Do you think the king will notice that your mood has changed if you are not in his presence? Do you think the king would notice that you are not happy or that you need something if you are not in his presence? Indeed, you must seek to be a servant of God who serves in His presence.