1. Nehemiah 1:11 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does the term “give success” mean?

Nehemiah 1:11 (ESV)

11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah seeks God’s blessing upon the course of action he has in mind such that he may achieve his intended goal. The petition implies a confession that Nehemiah cannot achieve his goal on his own strength; he is dependent on the Lord his God for any measure of success, as also his use of the phrase your servant suggests.