The Determination of Nehemiah

Why is determination important, and what difference does it really make? Think of it this way: Where would you be today if Jesus had not been determined to go to the cross for you? Or if the disciples had not been determined to give their lives for the gospel? Or if your friend, loved one, neighbor, or church had not been determined to share the salvation message with you?

We have all had some walls that have burned down, whether from an attack of the enemy or through our own self-sabotage or lack of self-discipline. To change, restore, and rebuild is going to require determination. There is no better guide to this process of restoration than Nehemiah. As you read this story, think about the walls that have burned in your own life that you need the determination to rebuild.

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hakaliah. In the month Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the palace, Hanani, one of my relatives, and some men of Judah arrived. So I asked them concerning the returning Jews who had been in captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. They said to me, “The remnant that returned from captivity is there in the province enduring great affliction and reproach. Also, the wall of Jerusalem remains broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days. Then I fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, and said: “I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments. Let Your ear now be attentive, and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant, which I now pray before You, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You and have not obeyed the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which You commanded Your servant Moses.

“Please remember the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you behave unfaithfully, then I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them back to the place where I have chosen to establish My name.’” —Nehemiah 1:1–9

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would have even given your life for it? Have you ever had a burden or passion or conviction burning in your soul? To know something of that passion, you know something of the story of Nehemiah, a man who loved his God and his city, Jerusalem.

Nehemiah was a hero. He stood strong against his enemies and against adversity. He had only one goal in mind: to rebuild the house of God. Often our passions and visions run into obstacles, as it was for Nehemiah, for our enemy is fierce and crafty. But when we are determined, the tactics of the enemy do not dictate the agenda for our lives.

Determination is a good quality, but only if you are determined in the right direction. You cannot be focused on pride or power or prestige; your determination must be based on a calling or conviction from God.

Passage Question: What is something God is calling you to work at with determination?