but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love
Nehemiah 2:11
So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work.
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work
Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them
Psalms 33:18
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love
Psalms 147:11
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love
Psalms 149:4
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation
The story of Nehemiah is a good reminder to us all. He was with those who had been taken in exile yet he did not forget God. When he heard the news of how broken Jerusalem was his heart was broken and he sought comfort bringing this to God. His heart was all about the honor and glory of God. Imagine living in exile and God stirring your heart to the plight of something outside of your control. In fact the only way you would be able to move on this stirring is if God’s hand was in it. Then the King asks you what is on your heart, you tell him not only what is on your heart but that you need the King to allow you to rebuild the city, supply safe passage back to the city, supply letters to show those in opposition of what you are about to do, and letters instructing others to supply materials for the job at hand. Any of these questions could have been answered with your head chopped off. Yet God’s hand was in it. His timing, His plan, His sovereign will. This is a good reminder for us to always keep our heart’s desire for serving God. Without this desire we will never be willing to hear and act on what God places on our heart. No matter how big the task is that God lays on your heart – remember God is more than able to overcome our weakness and feeling of not being equipped – who can stop what God puts into motion!
