Simply the Bible Blog

“Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.” (Nehemiah 1.10)

Caller ID affords us opportunities we didn’t have in previous generations. Now when someone calls we can know who it is before we answer and effectively screen unwanted calls. Which calls do I answer? It has everything to do with relationship. I almost always take calls from my family and friends.

If we are to “punch through” with God, relationship is everything. Nehemiah knew that he needed God’s help. There was simply no one else to whom he could turn. He stood before the greatest king in the world at that time–King Artaxerxes of Persia. The king had the power to change the desperate situation in Jerusalem…but only if God willed it. Nehemiah appealed to the LORD not on the basis of their worthiness but because they were His servants and people. Countless times God had rescued them by His great power and strong hand. Wouldn’t He also save them this time?

Through Jesus Christ we have been brought even nearer than Nehemiah. Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants…but I have called you friends” (John 15.15). Paul tells us that in Christ we have received the Spirit by whom we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8.15). I guess that means we’re on God’s Friends and Family plan!

But even though we have access to the throne of grace (and yes, no long distance charges), we still must take the time to call Him. Relationship means nothing if we don’t communicate. Just think: we have a generous Father in heaven who is always ready to give us mercy and help in our time of need, but how often do we come and ask? And when we ask do we really believe in our hearts that we have what we’ve asked for?

Like Nehemiah, we face challenges every day. They can either be obstacles or opportunities. So much of it depends on what we do with this relationship…assuming that we have one. Jesus Christ is calling. Have you answered? He’ll take away your sin and guilt, but you must receive Him into your heart. Then you have a Friend and Father in heaven who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you ask or think (Ephesians 3.20). But it’s up to you to call!