The Challenge of a Relationship with God
Scripture — Nehemiah 1:5-11 (NRSV)
I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. . . . O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!” At the time, I was cupbearer to the king.
Focus
As I read Nehemiah’s prayer, I’m struck by how challenging it is to have a relationship with the one true God. It would be impossible to have such a relationship if God did not choose us and enter into a covenant relationship with us through Christ. But just because God has initiated a relationship with us, and just because this relationship depends on God’s grace, that doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging to live so that God’s purposes are realized in us and God is glorified through us.
This devotion is part of the Relational Challenges series.
Devotion
This devotional series on Relational Challenges has to do mainly with the relationships we have with other people. But the story of Nehemiah reminds us of one of the most challenging of all our relationships, namely, our relationship with God.
By saying our relationship with God is challenging, I’m not saying it isn’t also wonderful, amazing, and greatly to be desired. I’m also not saying that there is anything wrong with God and how God relates to us. But I think anyone who has a relationship with the living God would agree that it can be a challenging one. Grace-filled, yes. Glorious, yes. And challenging? Yes, that too.
The prayer of Nehemiah in chapter 1 highlights just a few of the relational challenges that are part and parcel of knowing God. First of all, God is the “Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God” (1:5). God is not our equal, our pal, or our servant. Rather, God is greater than anyone or anything. God fills us with awe and wonder. God’s majesty exceeds our comprehension. Yet by God’s choice, we can have a relationship with such an astoundingly magnificent God.
Surely a relationship like this will be challenging. I’m reminded of a scene from the classic Wizard of Oz film that terrified me when I was a boy. When Dorothy and her friends enter the throne room of the Wizard, they confront a giant, terrifying being obscured by blazing fire. In a booming voice, he says, “I am Oz, the great and powerful.” Understandably, those who have dared to approach the Wizard are terrified, quaking with fear. Is this how we should approach the “Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God”?
No, because this God is also the one “who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (1:5). God establishes and maintains a committed relationship with us and loves us faithfully. In response, we love God and follow God’s directives. Thus, there is an unexpected mutuality in our relationship with God, even though we are not equal to our sovereign God.
Prayer is central to Nehemiah’s relationship with God. He feels free to ask the Lord fervently and repeatedly what he would like God to do for him. Yet, at the same time, Nehemiah recognizes that he, his family, and his people have sinned against God, thus offending God deeply (1:7). How challenging it is to be in relationship with a God whom we inevitably offend. How difficult it can be to repent, turning back to God when we have chosen to turn away (1:9).
Yet, despite the disparity between God’s majesty and Nehemiah’s subservience, and although Nehemiah and his people have sinned against and offended the Lord, nevertheless Nehemiah is bold enough to ask for God’s blessing: “Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” (1:11).
Now, as Christians who know the love and grace of God, we can miss the challenging nature of Nehemiah’s prayer. But let’s think of a moment in more human terms. Suppose you work for a large company. For her own reasons, the CEO of the business chooses to have a friendship with you. Now that would be a bit complicated. But to make matters worse, you act contrary to the clear instructions of the CEO, thus offending her deeply. Then you dare to approach the CEO, asking her to grant some special request of yours. The relational challenges in this scenario are obvious, are they not?
Nehemiah’s request of God is unusually audacious. He asks the Lord for success and “mercy in the sight of this man!” (1:11). The last line of Nehemiah 1 makes it clear who this is: “At the time, I was cupbearer to the king” (1:11). So “this man,” from whom Nehemiah seeks mercy, is the exalted ruler of the vast Persian Empire, arguably the most powerful person on earth. Nehemiah isn’t asking God for some little favor. He’s seeking something big, something that becomes even bigger in chapter 2.
As I read Nehemiah’s prayer, I’m struck by how challenging it is to have a relationship with the one true God. It would be impossible to have such a relationship if God did not choose us and enter into a covenant with us through Christ. But just because God has initiated a relationship with us, and just because this relationship depends on God’s grace, that doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging to live so that God’s purposes are realized in us and God is glorified through us. This is challenging. Challenging sometimes in difficult ways. Sometimes in confusing ways. Sometimes in wonderful ways. And, yes, sometimes in all three at once.
Reflect
As you read Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1, what stands out to you?
Have you ever prayed as Nehemiah prayed? If so, when?
Would you be so bold as to pray in the mode of Nehemiah? If so, why? If not, why not?
Act
Set aside at least ten minutes to talk with the Lord. During this time, read Nehemiah’s prayer out loud, at least three times. Read as a prayer to God, putting yourself in Nehemiah’s shoes. Pay attention to what you think and feel as you pray this prayer to God. Then, talk honestly with the Lord about whatever this prayer has stirred up in you.
Pray
Gracious God, having a relationship with you is truly wonderful. Thank you for choosing to know us, to save us, and to live in us.
Having a relationship with you is also challenging, Lord. It’s not as if we can just sit back and let it happen. Knowing you requires a response of faith and obedience. We are called to worship and trust. Our life’s purpose is to glorify you. Yet sometimes we don’t know how to do this. And sometimes it feels as if we don’t have the strength to do it. And, yes, sometimes, we know what we’re to do but choose not to do it.
In all of these situations and in so many more, we thank you for your covenant faithfulness. We thank you for the grace that sustains us and guides us. We thank you for your love, apart from which we would be lost, but because of which we are found and we are at home. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Does Trusting God Mean Turning to Prayer, Taking “Practical” Action, or Both? (Nehemiah 1:11-4:23).
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...