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Nehemiah enjoyed security and prestige as the king’s cupbearer, so there was no reason for him to ask about the needs of people hundreds of miles away. But he loved Jerusalem and was concerned about the welfare of his people (Jer. 15:5). How do you respond when you learn that others are hurting?

Nehemiah was a man of prayer; you will find ten of his prayers in this book. He believed in a great God who kept His promises, forgave sin, and helped His people when they called on Him. Like Ezra before him, Nehemiah identified himself with the sins and sorrows of the nation ( Ezra 9:5).

Nehemiah did more than weep and pray; he made himself available to the Lord to get the job done. He depended on God’s great power to work in and through him (Eph. 3:20–21). He was not content merely to get answers to prayer: he wanted to be an answer to prayer. Has God used you lately to be an answer to somebody’s prayers?

It was a day of reproach for the people of God (Neh. 1:3; 2:17; 5:9; 6:13). The great city of Jerusalem was no longer beautiful (Ps. 50:2), and the Jews were no longer powerful. But one man made the difference! Nehemiah led the Jews from great reproach (1:3) to great rejoicing (12:43). God is still seeking men and women willing to sacrifice to do His work. Are you available?

Nehemiah did not suddenly quit his job and hurry to Jerusalem. He prayed and faithfully worked for four months, waiting to approach the king in the Lord’s time. Waiting may be much harder than working, but it is dangerous to rush ahead of the Lord.

Nehemiah’s “telegraph prayers” were effective because he spent much time alone with God. The throne of grace in heaven has greater authority than any throne on earth (Eph. 1:15–23). Are you in the habit of talking to God during your daily activities?

Nehemiah had been planning his work carefully, so he was able to give the king satisfactory answers. Prayer and concern are not substitutes for clear thinking and adequate organization.

Before enlisting the leaders, Nehemiah became personally acquainted with the needs (v. 11 ; Ezra 8:32). Dedicated leaders are awake when others are asleep, but they see more in the darkness than others do in the light (Prov. 20:18).

NEHEMIAH 3

The workers were involved in building, repairing (the word is used forty times) and fortifying (v. 8), ministries needed in the church today. The walls and gates were important for the protection of the people and the beauty of the city.

There is a place of ministry for everybody who has a mind to work: priests (v. 1), rulers (vv. 12–19), craftsmen (v. 8), and dedicated women (v. 12). God sometimes brings outsiders to help us (vv. 2, 5, 7), and some people are willing to do extra work (vv. 11, 19, 21). The significant thing is that they cooperated as they served the Lord. But don’t be surprised if some people do nothing (v. 5), including the leaders. Just keep on working!

The best place to start working is at your own house (vv. 10, 23, 28). If each of us served the Lord first at home, what a difference it would make in the work of the Lord!