Four months pass and Nehemiah hears nothing from God. Nehemiah continues doing what he's always been doing, working and praying. Faith, patience, prayer and work all go together in proportionate amounts. Nehemiah waited for God to open the door in what seemed to him an humanly impossible situation.

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

Nehemiah Prepares for the Work

I. God provides the opportunity - (1-8)

II. First the good news then the bad - (9-11)

III. Nehemiah counts the cost - (12-16)

IV. "Let us rise and build... God ... will prosper us." - (17-20)

I. GOD PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY - (1-8)

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it withersoever he will." (Prov. 21:1)

Humanly speaking Nehemiah found himself in an impossible situation. He could do nothing...except pray. The Lord did not answer his prayer immediately, he waited four months for an obvious God given opportunity. The King pops the question, "Why is thy countenance sad?" and Nehemiah "spills the beans". The King asks him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Nehemiah immediately prayed to God.

Nehemiah's request is straight forward, "send me". The King grants him a leave of absence, and along with that numerous other favors.

II. FIRST THE GOOD NEWS ... THEN THE BAD - (9-11)

When God prospers a man it is never without opposition. Opposition and obstacles build character and prove one's real worth. Someone will always be grieved when God's work is being accomplished, "You just can't please all the people, all the time". For that matter, we have not been called to please man. (Acts 5:29)

 

III. NEHEMIAH COUNTS THE COST - (12-16)

While others were sleeping, Nehemiah was awake surveying the damage. While others complained and found fault Nehemiah did something to solve the problem.

Nehemiah:

[1]. Did not brag about what God called him to do. (vs. 12)
[2]. He took a few men with him. (vs. 12) It seems that it's the minority that accomplishes the majority of the work.
[3]. Counted the cost, he sized up the task before him before he committed himself to the work.

 

IV. "LET US RISE AND BUILD...GOD...WILL PROSPER US." - (17-20)

A leader must identify himself with a need in order to motivate others in the work.

A leader must be willing to actively participate in the work. There's a difference between a leader and a "boss". A leader shows people what to do, a boss tells people what to do.

Verse 17 - "...that we be no more a reproach". This is intrinsic or internal motivation. In other words you must not only get a person's hands in the work, but you must get their heart also.

At this point Nehemiah reveals his burden and commission from God; and the people said, "Let us rise and build."

Of course, again they are met with opposition. It seems that the first reaction to almost any idea is laughter and scorn. The opposition was immediately discounted by the fact that "God will prosper us."

LESSONS IN RESPONSIBILITY:

[1]. Changing a heart is God's specialty. Realize your human limitations.
[2]. Praying and waiting go hand in hand.
[3]. Faith is not a synonym for disorder a substitute for careful planning.
[4]. Opposition is to be expected when God's will is carried out. Press onward when God opens the door. Remember an open door is never a violation of other biblical principles.