When the Good Hand of God is Upon You | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for January 24

And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. — Nehemiah 2:7-8 ESV

The book of Nehemiah takes place as the third wave of Jewish exiles return to Israel from Persia. One day, word came to Nehemiah that the wall in Jerusalem was in shambles, and they needed assistance rebuilding the city. Once he heard of the need, he prayed to the Lord asking Him to grant him favor in the king’s sight that he may return to Israel and help his people. 

When he asks King Artaxerxes if he may leave Persia and assist the Jews, he was met with a happy surprise: the king asked Nehemiah what assistance he could provide! He granted Nehemiah access to the keeper of the king’s forest, which allowed him all the timber he would need to rebuild the city wall. At that moment, Nehemiah knew that the Lord was working on his behalf—“the good hand of my God was upon me.”

When the Lord wants you to act to accomplish something in His name, He will make a way. He will provide. He will not leave you stranded. So, what task has called you to? What part of the kingdom are you building? Christian education? Family discipleship? Church ministry? Missions? Follow the Lord as He directs and pray that His hand will be with you. For who can stop our God? Who can thwart those on whom His hand rests?