Character Of The Week- Nehemiah
God is in the business of working through His people to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. God often shapes people with personality characteristics, experiences, and training that prepare them for His purposes, and usually those people may have no idea what God has in store for them.
God prepared and positioned Nehemiah to accomplish one of the Bible’s “impossible” assignments. Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position.
He was secure and successful as cupbearer to King Ataxerxes. A cupbearer had a position of great trust as advisor to the king and had the responsibility of keeping the king from being poisoned. While Nehemiah no doubt enjoyed the luxury of the Palace, his heart was in Jerusalem.
Seventy years earlier, Zerubbabel had managed to rebuild God’s Temple. Thirteen years had passed since Ezra returned to Jerusalem and helped the people with their spiritual needs. Now Nehemiah was needed. Jerusalem’s wall was still in ruins, and the news broke his heart. (No matter the ground that has been covered in the kingdom work, there’s still a role for you and I to occupy)
As Nehemiah talked to God, a plan began to take form in his mind about his own role in rebuilding the city walls. Willingly, he left the security of his home and job in Persia to follow God on a seemingly impossible mission….
From start to finish, Nehemiah prayed for God’s help. He never hesitated to ask God to remember him. He displayed uncommon leadership ability and despite resistance, the wall was rebuilt in record time. God also worked through Nehemiah to bring about a spiritual awakening among the people of Judah.
Nehemiah’s Strengths and Accomplishments:
• A brilliant planner, inspirational organizational skills, and motivator.
• A man of character, persistence and prayer.
• Had great confidence in God’s purpose.
• Quick and decisive in response to problems.
• Calm in the face of opposition.
• He was self- sacrificing with just one interest, to accomplish his assignment.
• As a political.leader, led the nation to religious reform and spiritual awakening.
• Bluntly honest with his people when they were sinning.
• Led the people to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem in 52 days!
Lessons From Nehemiah’s Life
1. The first step in any venture is to pray. Nehemiah was deeply grieved about the condition of Jerusalem, but he didn’t just brood about it. After his initial grief, he prayed, pouring his heart to God and he looked for ways to improve the situation (1:5-11). Nehemiah put his resources of knowledge, experience, and organisation into determining what should be done. When tragic news comes to you first pray. Then seek ways to move beyond grief to specific action that helps those who need it.
2. Nehemiah demonstrated an excellent approach to problem solving:
– he got firsthand information about the task and carefully considered the situation.
– he then presented a realistic strategy.
Before jumping into a project, follow Nehemiah’s example and plan ahead. Check your information to make sure your ideas will work. Be realistic.
3. We frequently underestimate people by not challenging them with our visions for God’s work. Often God uses one person to express a vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage or inspire others, you put teamwork into action to achieve God’s goals. Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it with enthusiasm, inspiring Jerusalem’s leaders to rebuild the walls.
4. All of us are unique and capable of serving, no matter what our positions are. Just as Nehemiah used his place as the King’s trusted servant to tell him about the problems facing God’s people.
5. Real service for God has 2 parts- talking with Him and walking with Him. You may not have Nehemiah’s unique abilities or feel you are in a position where you can do anything great for God, but you can pray. Understand that you can stand in the gap on behalf of people. Confessing sin and praying formerly and restoration.
