Cupbearer to the King
Words of Faith 6-4-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Nehemiah 1
[11b] I was cupbearer to the king.

A short verse. Just six words to think about today!

Remember with me that Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who heard there was a great need in Jerusalem. Most of the people of Israel had been taken away into exile in Babylon. Jerusalem had been destroyed, and without walls, it was defenseless. When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem was weak and unprotected, he prayed earnestly. As the cupbearer for the King in Persia, Nehemiah heard from God and obeyed.

In just six words, Nehemiah moved from a prayer of submission before God to a statement of identity that was both in the past tense, yet rushing toward the future. Remember that Nehemiah first heard from a friend about the plight of those in Jerusalem, then he went to God in prayer, and now he was beginning a new life.

We don't want to miss the fact that Nehemiah had a good job. As a cupbearer for the King in Babylon, he had a fine career. He had security, success, and access. When he heard about the trouble and disgrace in Jerusalem, it wasn't like he had nothing else to do! But earnest prayer born of concern for the people of God drew Nehemiah to a new calling.

The position of cupbearer held by Nehemiah also prepared him for this new call. We will see later that, because of this special relationship with the King, important resources would be made available. Nehemiah had access to the royal court in much the same way that Moses did in Egypt, and Esther did in Persia. Nehemiah knew the proper etiquette and protocol for getting things done. He had developed the social skills that would help him meet the leadership needs ahead.

What about you and me? As God calls us to be disciples of Jesus Christ, each of us brings a particular set of skills. We have a particular background that prepares us for the tasks that He has for us. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10).

In Christ, you are a new person, but you come to His future with a unique set of relationships, certain training, and a special background. In God's providence, He uses such things to prepare us for His work of reconciliation and rebuilding. We may not have come from “royal courts,” but every one of us has a particular web of influence and a set of doors that are easily open to us. There are places you can go today for God that no one else can approach.

Even the painful experiences of life can be used by the Lord as a point of compassion to reach people with healing and reconciliation. Part of being a disciple is celebrating who God has made us for His purposes. Let's do that today.

You may not be the cupbearer for the king, but you can be the cupbearer for the King of Kings and bring the water of everlasting life.

Lord, thank You for making me who I am. I rejoice in the particular skills and relationships you have given to me. I even give thanks for the hard experiences and pain that You have used to shape me so that I might be who You need me to be. Use me today, Lord. Right where I am. Make my corner of life a royal court where I might be of influence for You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.