Learning to Lead With NehemiahSample

Read Nehemiah 1 : 4 -7

Whenever I read about the sorrow Nehemiah displayed over the Israelites living in Jerusalem, a few things jump out to me. First, Nehemiah sat down and wept. So many times, we equate tears with an absence of faith.

I don’t want to gloss over the fact you have permission to weep. The Bible teaches that we should “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). We shouldn’t shame people for weeping when we should really weep with them. There is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance!” (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Another thing I marvel at is Nehemiah’s compassion. When did I last mourn for the plight of someone not directly related to me? I don’t know about you, but most of the time that I mourn or fast, it’s because something has directly impacted me or someone close to me. I am saddened when I read about wars and atrocities in different places, but rarely am I moved to the depth of emotion displayed here. I would pray the famous prayer by World Vision’s founder Bob Pierce: “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God,” and wait for my heart to be broken over something big or noble. 

I have come to realize my heart will not be broken by everything. Those things that actually touch my emotions (anger, sorrow, fear), indicate what God wants me to intercede about and, in many cases, what God wants me to do something about. God may not use me to bring about world peace, but what He draws my attention to is important.

We are built to notice different things from others. Pay attention to what breaks your heart as this is key to fulfilling your purpose

Beyond the emotions, I think it’s important to focus on Nehemiah’s actions. He didn’t stay weeping; he laid the situation before God. He went to the One who could do something about it. In this age of activism and social justice, it’s the norm to fight with social media and leave it all there. Nehemiah took time out to seek God’s face for strategy and instruction before going on to “do the impossible.”

Lastly, I want to draw your attention to how Nehemiah prayed. Here we see the heart of an intercessor. Nehemiah put himself in their shoes. He didn’t say, “God, these people have sinned.” He included himself and his father’s house. Though he was safe and comfortable in the king's palace, he accepted that he was as responsible for the state of affairs in Jerusalem as if he was there himself. 

Intercession is not done from a position of superiority but from a place of empathy. It is standing in the gap, speaking on behalf of someone else. Maybe we will get better results in intercession as we adopt the heart posture Nehemiah displays.

Word of the Day : Passion. 

What are the things that stir your passion? The things that touch your emotions, the activities you would spend time and energy on without any noticeable reward, are clues to what God wants you to do.