Remember me with favor, my God.
Nehemiah 13:31b NIV
Nehemiah is an interesting character. He was among the Jewish people living in exile. He served in an honored position as the cupbearer to the king of Persia, a position of great responsibility. And his heart was devoted to the Lord God. After approaching the king of Persia about the condition of Jerusalem, he was sent back to rebuild its walls. And he stayed on for some years as the governor of the province. The book bearing his name is a first-person account of his work in Jerusalem and the reforms he was responsible for. Nehemiah was extremely zealous for the Lord and did all he could to lead the people in worshipping God and living up to their covenant obligations. Three times in this closing chapter he echos the words of this verse. Including here at the end of the book.
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
While some might view this as a plea for God to reward him for his faithfulness, I see it otherwise. Nehemiah, at the end of his story, can look back on his life and be satisfied. Satisfied that he has served God to the best of his ability. He is looking forward to hearing the Lord say to him “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). I cannot begin to tell you how often I fall short, taking my eyes off of Christ (Heb. 12:1-2) and the prize that awaits me (Phil. 3:12-14). But, like Nehemiah, at the end of my story, I long to have God remember me with favor. That my life was one that brought him honor and glory.
Disclaimer
The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.
If you have found value in this post, please consider subscribing to A Clay Jar so that you don’t miss any other posts.
