Nehemiah 2:6
And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
The king asked how long the journey would last and when Nehemiah would return, and after Nehemiah set a time he agreed to send him. Nehemiah was asking Artaxerxes for temporary release from his court duties to go rebuild Jerusalem's ruined places and make the city strong and defended. His plan was to restore its walls and Israel's strength, and it depended on gaining the king's consent and practical help.
The leave was for a set time and carried full royal authority, so the journey to Jerusalem was accomplished in safety under the power and protection of the Persian king. Royal letters to the governors along the route secured honorable reception and prompt assistance, and a military escort marked his arrival in Jerusalem as a man come on an important mission. The favorable answer came in response to prayer, for a brief prayer gave Nehemiah courage to make the request, and according to God's good hand upon him the Lord answered his prayer and was guiding the work. God heard his prayer for help and moved a heathen king to help carry out His purpose, and that support advanced God's purpose despite the opposition Nehemiah faced.
Nehemiah did not treat prayer alone as completing his duty, but joined prayer with careful planning and practical effort, wise forethought and resolute action. His careful plans and arrangements for the mission show that diligence and prudence belong in carrying out sacred work. His experience is an example of prayerful faith and sound judgment, of prayer, faith, diligence, boldness and resolute action in presenting the needs of the work.
The verse illustrates that God's people may boldly ask those in power for help in advancing God's cause and may present the needs of their work to others. In doing so they must draw near to God and remain closely connected to Him as the giver of all light. Nehemiah being brought before a king and ruler gave idolaters an opportunity to receive the light of the true God, so his service helped spread the knowledge of God while His people were in captivity and under trial.