… Ang lahat ng ito ay ginawa ng hari dahil sa kabutihan ng Diyos sa akin.

Nehemias 2:8

Pumasa si Edgar sa entrance exam sa UP! Nene won the major prize in a raffle! Natanggap si Maria sa kanyang dream job!

What’s our usual reaction to these good news?  

Siguro sinasabi nating, “Wow! Ang suwerte naman!”

Pero hindi ganito ang pahayag ni Nehemiah. Hindi rin niya sinabing, “Ang galing ko naman — na-convince ko ang hari.” Nor did he say, “Ang bait talaga ng hari!  Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya.”

Instead, he attributed the kindness of King Artaxerxes to the kind favor of God.  

He said, “And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests” (Nehemiah 2:8, NIV).

Before he was given the opportunity to speak with the king, Nehemiah fasted and prayed to the God of heaven.  Then God gave him the right moment to ask King Artaxerxes for permission to return to his hometown to rebuild the walls and the gates.

King Artaxerxes gave him permission and provided the wood, as requested. Then, although not requested, he also sent bodyguards to protect him as he travelled. Nehemiah attributed the goodness of the king to the kind favor of the King of kings to whom he had prayed. 

It is proper to thank the person who has been a direct channel of blessings to us. But like Nehemiah, remember that the blessing is the result of God putting His gracious hand upon us. It is a favor from God. Hindi dahil sa suwerte or tsamba ang blessing sa atin.