Evening star., 1917-11-17
NEHEMIAH'S PRAYER
ANSWERED..
Nehemiah, 2.1-11.
Golden Text-Ask and 1t shall
be given you.-Matt.. TT.
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

During the four months that inter-
vened between last Sundays lesson and
the events recorded in this weeks
study Nehemiah continued his inter-
cessions on behalf OF his stricken coun-
trymen. The patriot not only presented
their suffering before God. but recog-
nized that the burden resting upon him
for his nation demanded that he him
self should help answer his own pray
ers. He made a survey OF the condi-
| tions existing in Jerusalem. and under
divine guidance planned how he could
| best remedy the distressing conditions
in Palestine. He ascertained tho routes
Of travel. determined upon which one he
had better take and what authority he
would need from the king to make
his mission a success.
His preparation was thorough He
learned where the required material for
repairing the walls of Jerusalem could
proximated cost of repairing the city
walls and had planned how he could
| secure the same SO that Jerusalem
might be protected and become once
more the source of his nations reli.
gious life and hope. He had provided
for every detail, when he determined to
take advantage OF his intimate rela-
tions with King Artaxerxes to present
his plea for assistance. It was a deli
cate situation that called for diplo-
macy and courage A less religious
man would have failed, but Nehemiah
realized that Sod was with hi mand di
| recting his endeavors. Filled with that
| conviction the consecrated cupbearer
| obeyed the command.
| Expect great things OF God,
Attempt great things for God.
In attempting to carry out the divine
| injunction Nehemiah was not rash. He
took every reasonable precaution In
| CONT mbining with his religious convic-
| ing the king. whom he desired to in
terest in the fortunes of the Jews In
Palestine, especially in Jerusalem Re
| liRion to the courageous court official
| to serve God in prayer. In fact, in those
hours OF close communion with Je-
hovah he came to know that the good
hand Of his Cod was upon him. His
unseen presence became an inspiration
| to Nehemiah" He recognized that i,
was through His presence and power
that Artaxerxes was persuaded by the
| patriot to grant the cupbearer's request
1t was during the first month of the
Hebrews national year that he was
moved to make his proposal known to
| the king. At the time of the first pass.
over the Nissan or Ahib became the frs,
month SO that 1t was during March tina,
! the king observed the appearance of his
cupbearer, whose duty it was to pou,
out into his hand some of the wine
and taste 1t before he filled the kings
glass and handed it to him. Usually
the ruler dined alone. but the queer
was present at this feast. It was a
grave offense for one of his servants
to appear in his presence at meal time
with a sad countenance. When Artax-
| erxes noticed Nehemiah and detected
| the signs Of mourning the king de-
quested that his cupbearer tell him
what was worrying him. The devoted
Jewish servant states that this filled
| him with fear. He Immediately by q
quiet silent talk with Jehovah secured
courage SO that he boldly told the king
his troubles and requested that he be
allowed to help the distressed Hebrew
people.
! 1t is evident that Nehemiah belonged to
| the tribe of Judah by his reference to the
| desolatfon Of the graves Of his fathers
| The tourist who views Jerusalem from