Rebuilding Home: 13 Days in NehemiahIsampula

How can you find God’s will with prayer and planning?

When my wife Grace and I first got married, we quickly realized that we approached problem-solving very differently. She would spend a lot of time praying so that she was unburdened, filled with faith, and trusting God to take care of us. I would spend my time planning, researching, looking at calendars and budgets, and strategizing a way to overcome our frustrations and get on to a better future. Early in our marriage, her praying and my planning became a point of disagreement. She felt I was not spiritual enough. I felt she was not practical enough. Having now been married for over three decades, we’ve learned from each other. I pray a lot more before and during our planning. Grace still prays but has learned to also join me in making plans.

How about you? Are you better at praying or planning?

Nehemiah's walk with God involves prayer and planning like a left foot and a right foot. In Nehemiah 1, God gave him the heart of Jesus for a devastated city and church within that city. Tragically, that sad state had been unchanged for 141 years despite many failed efforts to revive both the city and the church. Then, God called Nehemiah to lead the rebuilding and revival. Nehemiah starts by praying for God’s wisdom, favor with the king, and finances from the king while developing a comprehensive strategic plan.

Standing before the king, Nehemiah could not hide his burden. It was expected that anyone present before the king, especially if the queen was also present, would have a joyful spirit and not bring a burden. Nehemiah’s request to leave his job to rebuild a city and church is bold because it would risk the king’s life. So, he briefly stops to pray yet again. What makes this request even more audacious is that some 13 years prior, the same request was made to rebuild the same city and church, and that effort was opposed by the very king who Nehemiah was asking to reverse his own policy! The king wanted to know Nehemiah’s plan and how long it would take –an incredible 12 years of time away (5:14, 13:6).

Nehemiah sketched out his plan, requesting letters from the king as military protection for the journey. He also asked the king to personally fund the project with timber from his private forest and a personal residence as a secure base of operations. Amazingly, Nehemiah’s huge prayer (1:11) was answered. God alone is given credit for every success.

When God acts, Satan reacts. For the first time in the story, a unified opposition rises up against Nehemiah as his critics are the first to “greet” him in Jerusalem. Political leaders from surrounding areas joined together to attack Nehemiah and his mission to rebuild the city and church. Even humble leaders acting in obedience to God will always face critics and opponents, as was the case with Jesus.

The 100-mile journey to Jerusalem would have taken a few months. Upon arriving, Nehemiah curiously does not immediately launch into his work but rather takes three days to presumably pray and Sabbath. He was wisely gathering up his energy for a long and exhausting season of work and opposition.

Nehemiah began his work under the cover of darkness to discreetly investigate firsthand the condition of the walls. Leaders make decisions based on information, and without accurate information, a leader makes poor decisions. So, Nehemiah travels to Jerusalem and inspects the entire wall himself. The various broken gates were essentially the doorways to the city, and without a rebuilt wall and gates, God’s people could not return to the city and worship as the church.

In this section of Nehemiah’s journal, we learn two important leadership lessons. One, a leader must accept reality. Nehemiah used the words “broken” and “destroyed” to describe how dire things had become. Two, a leader will only be able to inspire others to follow if they are convinced that they are following God’s calling. Despite 141 years of failed attempts, no experience for the job, an overwhelming task with only a handful of discouraged people, and facing powerful critics, Nehemiah proceeds because it was “what my God had put into my heart to do” (2:12). God’s calling meant he would not be retreating.

Finally ready to cast God’s vision to the people, Nehemiah spoke to them directly and from his heart. First, he identifies with the people, repeatedly saying “us” and “we.” Second, his motive is humility and not pride, as his goal is to spare God’s people further derision. Third, he assures them that God has already answered his prayers and His hand was upon them. Fourth, he recounted the victory God had already given them with the support of the king, proving God was with them. Fifth, he looked people in the eye, spoke to them directly, and answered their questions so that they could trust him.

Courageously, the people who had been without success or hope for many years believed in Nehemiah’s God-given vision, trusted his integrity, and agreed to work together. The task was monumental. Estimates are that the wall was anywhere from 1-2.5 miles in circumference, 3-4 feet thick, and 15-20 feet high, broken for many years with the large stones scattered and gates burned.

Rather than allowing the critics to get the final word, Nehemiah wisely spoke to reassure the people that God would make them succeed, thereby making His name great and mocking His critics. The people follow their leader, focusing on their God and mission instead of their critics and enemies.

Question:

Nehemiah is constantly praying for the ministry God has called him to. How can you be praying for the ministry God has called you to?