In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid.I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.

Haven't we all been in situations where we are to face a fundamental question in our life; one where we know that our answer is going to change our life somehow? The wrong answer and the king could very quickly have had him put to death. (Remember Pharaoh and his cup-bearer in Genesis 40:1-3? Don't offend a king with a sad face while handing him his wine)

Nehemiah answered truthfully even in his fear of the consequences, received a followup question and prayed to the LORD for guidance. Not a bad scenario to keep in mind when I'm in a bind.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 116

Mid-day: 119:145-152

Evening: Psalm 42

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"Voices Together" is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.  All Scripture is taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted. A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/52-general-downloads. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.