Honest Reflections on Nehemiah 2 The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem. (vs. 20) What does it take to become a strong leader? Is it ones creditiantials (including education and expeerience), ones popularity, their image, the amount money he/she has, or is it all just a matter of who you know and chance? Furthermore, what makes a leader successful in the eyes of God? Several months after Nehemiah had heard the word about the devestated condition Jerusalem was still in, the LORD opens the door for Nehemiahs prayer to be answered (cf. Neh 1:4-11), although it would not be comfortable or safe for him to take it. For the king notices Nehemiah is sad one day, and asks him, Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart (vs. 2). At this point, Nehemiah could have lied about whats truly bothering him and gave the king the typical response we normally give one another on Sunday morning, Im fine, or dodge the question altogether. But this is not what Nehemiah does. Instead, even though he was very much afraid for his own life as a cupbearer to the king (because to be sad in the presence of the king would perhaps suggest ones discontent with the work they have been given and ungratefulness for the king), Nehemiah opened himself up to the king and told him, Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire (vs. 3)? How does the king respond to Nehemiahs transparency? For on the one hand, one could take Nehemiahs statement and question his loyalty to the king, which no doubt would be punishable, since he cares so deeply about Jerusalem. On the other hand, Nehemiah very wisely speaks with grace and respect toward the king who has place a significant amount of trust in him because of his occupation, making sure to keep his conduct pure and genuine. What a reminder for us, whenever we are confronted by someone, even asked about our faith, that we answer them with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience as we give the reason for the hope that lies within us, so that when we are slandered, those who revile our good behavior in Christ myay be put to shame (1 Pt 3:15-16). In either case, though, Nehemiah took a great risk in responding to the king in the way he did, which in all honesty, is what it means to step out in faith. The king responds to Nehemiah, asking him what he wants (vs. 4), so now comes the real test. What will Nehemiah do? Will he try to dance around the point and try to play off what is so important to him, because he is more concerned about keeping his job and his life for that matter? Will he rashly blurt out what he wants without carefully planning what he will say and how? Will he second guess himself and say nothing, so as to please his boss more than God? Will he beg the king to give him what he truly wants and desperately offer to do anything the king desires from him in return? No. Instead, Nehemiah quietly and humbly prays to God, before he responds to the king with faith in the Lord: So I prayed to the God of heaven (vs. 4). We are not told the details of his prayer, like how long it was or even the content of it, but nonetheless, what Nehemiah displays in doing this is precisely the kind of response we must train ourselves to have, no matter how serious or immediate the decision or the situation we encounter! Jesus has instructed us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:33), even as He taught us to pray first and foremost that Gods Name would be honored as holy, and secondly that His Kingdom would come and His would be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Mt 6:9-10)! God has graciously opened up to us a way for us to approach Him freely, confidently, and as often as we delight to, through His Son, who gave His life up as an atoning sacrifice to make that posssible! The author of Hebrews so wondrously reminds us of this incredible truth, and that we dont need a priest to approach God in prayer, nor do we need to feel we are not worthy enough, nor good enough, not knowledgeable enough, nor any of the other excuses that often prevent us from delighting in prayer, because we have a Great High Priest through whom we go to the Father in prayer! Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:14-16) Are you grateful for this? Are you practicing this? For what peace we often forfeit, what regrets we often experience, what heartache we needlessly endure, all because we do not take everything to God in prayer! After Nehemiah prays, then, he reveals to the king his desire to be sent to Judah, in order to rebuild the city (vs. 5). Its one thing to pray, but its quite another thing to act on that prayer with faith, entrusting the results to Gods sovereignty and goodness. And do you know how the king then responded to Nehemiah? He actually approves of Nehemiahs request, asking him how long he will be gone for (vs. 6). Isnt God faithful? Even the apostle James instructs us to pray in this way, especially so when asking for wisdom, knowing God gives generously to all without reproach, when they ask in faith! If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (Jm 1:5 - 8) Nehemiah then very wisely asks the king letters of approval in this work that he is about to do in Judah, even for wood supply, and the king again approves, even adding to his request officers of the army and horseman for protection(vs. 7-9). Truly, the Lord has generously answered Nehemiahs prayer, even as he recognizes this: the good hand of my God was upon me (vs. 8). When Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem, he waits three days then to assess the overall situation and how much work will be required, all the while concealing the plans that the Lord had placed in his heart to rebuild the city (vs. 11-16). Finally then, after the three days, he gathers those who would participate in the work and exhorts them to build the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer derision (vs. 17). To build confidence in them, Nehemiah then testifies to all that the Lord has provedentially done for him to make this possible (which undoubtedly included his career as a cupbearer, which put him in a strategic place of favor with the king to allow for all the support Nehemiah and Judah was given), and the people respond Lut us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work (vs. 18-19). If that doesnt make your eyes tear up with joy and your heart swell with excitement, then I dont know what else will! For great is our God and great are His marvelous works as He glorioously works all things together for good! Of course there were those who set out to oppose Nehemiah and tried to confuse and hinder the work, such as Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite (a legendary enemy of Israel), but Nehemiah was not swayed by their deceitful schemes. Instead, Nehemiah acts on his faith in the Lord, and confidently replies to his opponents, The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem (vs. 20). What a model of a leader who leads with conviction, and a conviction that is anchored to the Word of God, with resolve to fulfill the work God has entrusted to him (remember, God put it in Nehemiahs heart to do this, vs. 12), and with assurance that God will see the work through. Might we learn to fully trust in the Lord, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness, while entrusting to Him the results of the endeavors He would have us do. Might we pursue wisdom with patience, instead of rushing into foolish decisions that we will regret making later on, even if it supplies temporary happiness. Might we learn to fear God more than fearing man, knowing God is the One who grants success or not, as we step out in faith in Him. It takes love, obedience, and trust in the Lord, along with self-denial. Truth is, no one can be a good leader until they learn to be a faithful and sacrifical servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, first. Question. What holds you back from being a leader for the Kingdom of God? If you are leading in some form, are following the example of Christ, so that those whome you are leading can follow your example? Are you committing everything to God in prayer, trusting Him with the results, even resting your heart in the assurance that He will provide for you according to His good, perfect, and wise will? Prayer. Father, thank You for Your generous love and all that You do for us. There is none like You. Teach me to be like You, and lead me in every facet of my life. Take me and use me for the good work of the Gospel. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:28:40 +0000
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