Nehemiah- Rebuilding and RenewalSample

It’s four months later, ‘in the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’, and Nehemiah has been praying for God’s favour. The burden has matured, and now it is time for a step of faith. We can often miss this subtle piece of information. We hear of the report, and straight away it seems, Nehemiah is making plans to fix the problem! No. Four months have passed. The need has not diminished, but God is interested just as much in the heart of the individual, and how He can use Nehemiah as addressing the problems at hand. God is not in a hurry!

The example of Nehemiah is one of prayerfulness (1:5-11; 2:4), humility (note the repeated phrase ‘if it pleases the king’ 2:4, 7, 8), and an audacious request- to return to his homeland and rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. His was no small ask, and, like Esther, literally risked his life to ask it of the king. Recognise, too, that Nehemiah was not noted as a skilled builder, project manager, governor, or the like, but served as a ‘cupbearer’.In what world does someone like Nehemiah have the gall to make such a request?

It is clear that Nehemiah had no case to be confident in his own abilities or wisdom. Here is another principle of Godly leadership: we bring very little to the table. In fact, any reliance on our own ability, skills, wisdom or judgment is very quickly dealt with by God so that He receives the glory. Consider David, the youngest of his family, a shepherd boy, chosen to become king. Or Simon, the headstrong fisherman from Galilee, renamed Peter to became apostle to the early church. Or Saul, well suited to argue the finer points of Torah with Pharisees and Jews, chosen to instead become an apostle to the Gentiles.

Anything we think may qualify us in our own right to achieve great things for God is usually the very thing God will strip away, so that we learn to lean into His strength alone.

Nehemiah’s confidence was not in his ability, but in God’s. Remember, this started with a genuine burden he carried for the state of God’s people and God’s Holy city. He was moved, grieved, and God used the burden he carried to mature and fuel his faith.

Moved men move God.

God is moved by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6). The ‘ancients were commended for their faith’ (v2). Passive men and women can expect no move of God. The status quo is their comfort. Faith is a doctrine, not a lifestyle. They are unmoved by the need around them, and lack of compassion has served to numb their hearts. Self-sufficiency and self-protection have become idols. But Nehemiah’s example show us that audacious faith is exactly what God looks for in order to bring change. Favour with God flows to favour with man, and Nehemiah is set on a course to do what is impossible in his own strength.

Reflect:

When was the last time you have been burdened with a need? (This is not about feeling anxious, or fearful- in fact, when we get God’s heart for a situation or a need, often our own questions, doubts and insecurities fade away)

What is the state of your heart? Soft, hardened, broken, numb? Talk to God about this. Receive His gentle correction where necessary, and invite Him to change your heart.