Lately I can’t get enough of reading the book of Nehemiah. God has just really impressed this book on my heart. I have read it through now a few times and I just keep coming back to it. There is something about Nehemiah, as a leader, that keeps making me come back to read his story.
It has been great examining how God stirred Nehemiah’s heart with a vision. Then seeing what the vision was, and how he (Nehemiah) would put that vision into action; even with the opposition he faced from the critics.
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:3-4
Nehemiah had a burden for his hometown people. He knew that God was calling him to do something great. To do something that may seem insane, impossible, stupid, and even life threatening.
He would then go to King Arteaxerses (what a name!) to see if he would help him with this massive vision that God had placed inside Nehemiah to rebuild the Jerusalem wall that had been burnt down. This was risky to do.
For Nehemiah, it started with a simple burden for the people who were closest to him. He saw and felt the burden for the people. God didn’t put this vision inside of Nehemiah so he could wait for SOMEONE ELSE to do it. He placed it inside of Nehemiah so he could be the CATALYST to start it.
Nehemiah would go on to rebuild the city wall. He faced opposition throughout the entire building process.
Even when other leaders were scheming against Nehemiah and the people who were helping him, he wouldn’t back down. He wouldn’t listen to those outside voices no matter what they were saying.
They were trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
Nehemiah 6:9
What burden has God placed inside of you? It may not be to build an entire wall around a city. However, it can seem that scary and intimidating even if it is something small. No matter what you feel God is prompting you to do…DO IT. Don’t let the critics talk you out of it. Pray that God would strengthen your hands to build your wall. Get other people involved with you like Nehemiah did. Those people, friends, and/or mentors can help you, encourage you, and support you.
Don’t let another moment go by with out beginning the process to build the wall God is calling YOU to start.
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