WE ARE NOT makers of history. We are made by history - Martin Luther King Jr.
Esther was clueless when Haman threatened the Jews. And when her uncle, Mordecai, called on her, she realized she was made for such a moment. (Esther 4:4)
The siblings of Joseph thought he made history by becoming a prime minister, but he saw things differently.
He felt the hand of God over his life. Joseph knew that God had put him there to actualize his dream. (Gen. 50:20) So, he lived a life of worship.
MANY PEOPLE in the scriptures did not receive a call like Abraham; neither did they have a visitation like Moses, but they knew God called them.
They felt a twist inside, and they couldn't sit still. Nehemiah was one of them.
HE LIVED in Susa and worked as a cupbearer to the king.
When Hanani came to visit, Nehemiah asked about the Jews who had escaped exile and the city of Jerusalem.
And the reply shocked him.
"Those who survived the captivity are in the province. They are enduring serious troubles and being insulted. The wall of Jerusalem has broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire." (Neh. 1:3)
So, he cried out to God.
Begin with a prayer
YOU CAN NOT FACE the future without a prayer list, nor can you do so without a prayer line.
Nehemiah had an altar, so he cried out to God in worship.
"Lord God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments." (Neh. 1:4-5)
He knew that God captures your heart in worship—and when he's got it, the real work begins – Matt Redman.
Do not allow shame
NEHEMIAH did not allow the shame of their situation to keep his hands down. Instead, he lifted his heart in worship.
Romans 8:1 says: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Take Ownership
NEHEMIAH acknowledged that they had done wrong. He confessed their sins and asked for forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The prostitute who sat at the feet of Jesus washed his feet with her tears. She took ownership of her sins.
And Jesus said to her: Your sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48)
Intercession is vital
WORSHIP and INTERCESSION must go together; one is impossible without the other. – Oswald Chambers.
Paul said: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. (I Corinthians 14:14-15)
So, what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding.
When last did you pray in the spirit? When did you stand in the gap for someone?
You must pray that God will do in others what he will do through you – that was Nehemiah's prayer.
Seek God's endorsement
YOU MUST FIND acceptance with God before you find favour with men.
For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; You surround him with favour as with a shield. (Ps. 5:12)
Nehemiah asked for God's mercy to find favour before the king.
Pray that God will do in others what he will do through you
Paint a picture
INTERIOR DECORATORS will tell you that if you want a thing to disappear into the background, you make it the same colour as the room's wall.
If you want a problem handled by God, you paint it with the brush of faith.
And when you do, your challenge disappears because where he stands, your problem cannot.
Faith thrives where there's no contrary belief that God will do as intended.
Live in excellence
TO THE DEGREE that Nehemiah was perfect in his private life, he was also excellent in public life.
Nehemiah lived a life of worship. So, it wasn't difficult for him to enter this environment when his people took a hit.
Nehemiah saw the redemption of his people on his shoulders. He came with a prostrate heart seeking help. He used the faith of one.
Nehemiah did not have it good, but he had God. He understood that he needed God's manifestation to move forward.
You need God's intervention to make good progress in life. To know Him is to worship Him.
Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God – it whets our appetite. – Eugene Peterson.
Bringing it Together
YOUR WALK is not to conquer but to actualize God's dreams – and the way to do that is to live a life of worship.
You can not allow your self-interest to overshadow the Will of God.
Nehemiah made his doctrine find its place in the things of faith. He preferred the treasures of God to his treasures.