Vital to this passage is the closing line in Nehemiah 2:8: For the good hand of my God was upon me.
Nehemiah knows God as the God of heaven
who is great and awesome
(Nehemiah 1:4–5). Artaxerxes may be the supreme ruler of the world’s superpower of the day, but the heart of this king is malleable in the hands of the Lord so that he can turn the king’s heart any direction he chooses (Proverbs 21:1; Ezra 6:22).
As a result of his triumph on the cross, all authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18) so that Scripture acknowledges him to be King of kings and Lord of lords
(Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; contrast with Ezra 7:12).
In close connection with the above point, it has pleased the Lord to give people dominion
over the works of his hands (Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 8:6) so that his redeemed people are fellow workers
with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1). This cooperation includes prayer, a resource Christ has promised would be effective (Matthew 7:7; John 15:7; James 5:16–17). So the Lord has also given his people instruction that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high position
(1 Timothy 2:1–2). In response to their prayers, the Lord God even today moves the hearts of kings in ways that advance his kingdom. This is an enormous incentive for Christians to abound in ongoing prayer for those in our time entrusted with much authority and influence.
8 and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.