I'm Just A Cupbearer

Recently, I read the book of Nehemiah. One of the most interesting things I found in that book is actually something I’ve overlooked before. It’s a quick verse seemingly thrown in there, but it’s true importance is immeasurable. In the first chapter and at the end of verse 11 it reads “In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.” I think there are two interesting points that play off of this verse. 1. We do not need a big title to do big things for the Lord. 2. God may keep us where we currently are to bring the resources we need.

Let’s look briefly at who Nehemiah was and wasn’t. He was a Hebrew in Persia during the time of Israel’s exile. He was a cupbearer for a pagan king, King Artaxeres. He was not a prominent person in the Jewish community. He was not a Levite or religious leader. Nehemiah was simply someone who had a burden, brought it to the Lord, and God used him as part of the solution.

In the first chapter Nehemiah receives word from his brother and visitors that his homeland is in shambles. The walls of Jerusalem were torn down and the gate destroyed by fire ( Neh 1:3). This grieves him and he brings that grievance to the Lord. He mourned, fasted, and prayed to God. (Neh 1:4-11). Nehemiah later goes on to be instrumental in Jerusalem being rebuilt. However what would this story read like if Nehemiah said “I’m JUST a cupbearer. What can I do?” What if he told his brother to find a religious leader to solve this problem because he’s JUST a cupbearer? I would say that’s an attitude we often can have. There’s a problem, but for one reason or another I decide, God can’t use me. I lack initials behind my name. I didn’t go to seminary. I’m just a cashier. I’m just a new Christian. I’m just not smart enough. I’m just not good enough. The “I’m just…” list could be a mile long and God does not use that in His equation. 1 Samuel 16:7 says “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” All that separates us from being an instrument of change is the status of our hearts.

When I was a new Christian, I went to a Christian summer camp, Camp Shiloh. To this day I remember one of my counselors. She had a head full of gray hair, but wasn’t very old. To me she wasn’t trendy, hip, or cool. I remember thinking why couldn’t I have gotten a different counselor. I thought my week already was going to be a waste. Yet God used that counselor I had written off, to impact my life for the rest of my life. That first night she passionately prayed with me to receive the gift of tongues. That night I received my prayer language and it set a strong foundation for the rest of my spiritual walk. I saw the outward appearance of that woman, but God saw her heart. People may have seen JUST a cupbearer, but God saw a world changer.

Secondly, Nehemiah positioned himself in the spiritual realm and it allowed God to position him in the physical realm. God gave Nehemiah favor with a pagan king. King Artaxeres inquired about Nehemiah’s trouble, what he could do, and then granted all of Nehemiah’s request. (Neh 2:1-9) He received everything he asked for. We may have a large problem but God may want to use where we currently are, to bring about the resources we need.

When we were expecting our first child my husband was still working at a temp agency with no benefits. I had only been at my full time job less than a year. Shortly, into the pregnancy the doctors discovered a very large fibroid. As a precaution, I had to have 2 to 3 appointments a week for the entirety of my pregnancy. How was this going to work? I was worried my boss would hold it all against me. Also my job offered no paid maternity leave. How was I going to be able to take the 3 months I wanted off? I thought maybe I needed a new job and quickly. No. As I brought my burden to God, He answered me through my current work situation. My boss was completely excited about the pregnancy and my job was never on the line. She actually went above and beyond to work out my maternity leave with me, so I had off the amount of time I wanted. We figured out I could save up and use all my sick and vacation time for my leave. I was able to schedule all my work appointments around my doctor’s appointments. When I started to worry we wouldn’t be able to cover the 4 weeks of unpaid leave, we got a substantial raise.

We may be praying for God to bring around another boat because we’re sinking. However, our current vessel is what He will use to save us. I thought I needed a new job faced with all my mounting needs, yet God gave me favor in the current job. Maybe our prayers could change from “Lord get me out!” to “Lord, what opportunities are waiting for me right here and now.”

The book of Nehemiah has so many spiritual lessons in it. One lesson being, we don’t need a big title to do big things for the Lord. God is willing to use us without regard to the outward because He focuses on the heart. Lastly, God may keep us where we currently are to bring the resources we need. As we wait on God in prayer, worship, and meditate on the word, we allow Him to positions us. We may be looking for the future exit signs, but He has opened windows of opportunity in our current place.