If you could ask for whatever you want (knowing it would be given to you), what would you ask for? In other words, if God appeared to you and said that you could have one request, a blank check if you will, and He’d give you whatever you requested, what would it be? When asked such a question, the first thing that enters ours minds reveals our priorities. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). Here are a few scriptural examples of when this actually took place. As we look at these examples it will give us an idea of where our motives and priorities are and where they should be.
Rebuilding the house of God (Nehemiah 2:1-5). Nehemiah appeared before King Artaxerxes with a sad countenance which was very dangerous. He could have been put to death for being before the King in such a manner. The king asked, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart” (Nehemiah 2:2 NKJV). So Nehemiah “became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire? Then the king said to me, What do you request?” So Nehemiah requested, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Nehemiah 2:3-5 NKJV).
He could have been executed for appearing before the king in such a way. Yet he was sad despite his fear and made such a bold request from the King. Are we saddened when we see the House (city) of God in desolation? Is our request before God that His house be built/rebuilt no matter what the cost, even if it means sacrificing our comfort, time and labor? Is it our desire, above all else, to see God’s house built and prospering. Nehemiah would have to leave the comfort of the King’s palace, challenge God’s people to work, organize and even go to battle in order to see the House of God rebuilt and restored.
At what cost are we willing to see God’s House (city) built and prospering? Many want to go to a church that is prosperous and successful but we are not willing to pray, commit and make the necessary sacrifice to make it happen. Most want to simply bask in the comfort of what paid the price to see accomplished. Let’s seek the face of God, get behind our pastor and pay any price necessary to see God’s House built and flourishing to the glory of God. Let it be said of us, as it was said of the early church, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6 ESV).
