Nehemiah’s Recipe for Success
Ponder: How can we accomplish the Lord’s work?
Scripture: “. . . be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord . . .” (1 Corinthians 15:57 NKJV).
How awesome was their task! Jerusalem’s walls, demolished by King Nebuchadnezzar over a century ago, still lay in ruined heaps of rubble. Now, surrounded by hostile tribes, a band of released Jewish exiles was rebuilding the walls of that holy city. Opposition from without and selfishness from within threatened to doom the project; but, in spite of these obstacles, the Jews succeeded, realizing their goal with astounding speed! How did they do it?
First, their cause was right. God had promised to restore His wayward people when they returned to Him (Nehemiah 1:8, 9). Now He was keeping His promise. It was God’s will that the walls be rebuilt.
Second, they committed the matter to God in prayer. Nehemiah had prayed for four months before asking for the Persian king’s permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls (Nehemiah chapter one). When facing opposition, he took it to God in prayer (4:4, 5). All these were prayers of faith! “Remember the Lord, great and awesome . . . Our God will fight for us” (4:14, 20).
Third, they had excellent leadership. Nehemiah planned the work and worked the plan. He didn’t “go off half-cocked,” but neither did he drag his feet. He encouraged the faint-hearted, rebuked the ungodly, overcame opposition, and stayed with the job until it was finished.
Finally, they cooperated. In the words of Nehemiah 4:6, “The people had a mind to work.” Jews from many places and various backgrounds worked side-by-side for their common cause. Priests, goldsmiths, merchants, Levites, rulers, and farmers – men from Tekoa, Jericho, Mizpah, Gibeon, and other places became as one.
The right cause . . . faithful, fervent prayer . . . excellent leadership . . . cooperation – that recipe will produce success anytime!
Song: “To the Work”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we have no doubt that the cause of Christ is right. We plead with You to bless those who lead Your people, and to help us all to work together in zealous cooperation with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)