The Commitment Of A Godly Leader Series

The Commitment of a Godly Leader

Nehemiah 4: 14; 19; 22-23

“Conversion is a turning into the right road; the next thing is to walk in it. The daily going on in that road is as essential as the first starting if you would reach the desired end. To strike the first blow is not all the battle; to him that overcomes the crown is promised. To start in the race is nothing, many have done that who have failed; but to hold out till you reach the winning post is the great point of the matter. Perseverance is as necessary to a man’s salvation as conversion,” Through the Eyes of C.H. Spurgeon: Quotes from a Reformed Baptist Preacher.

Nehemiah began a journey into the unknown as he left the king’s palace in order to begin reconstructing the walls in Jerusalem. He had proven his ability to lead, influencing others to catch the vision, motivating them for the task ahead, and organized an effective strategy to mobilize the teams to work. This was not without opposition or hindrances. Nehemiah faced much adversity in seeking to do God’s will and yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to the work.

In the preceding verses, we find that Sanballat and Tobiah have once again sought to hinder the work in Jerusalem. Judah, the strongest among the tribes of Israel, had become weary and succumbed to the pressure from without. They declared that the strength of the people had decayed and there was too much rubbish; the work cannot go on – we are unable to finish the task, Verse 10. In the midst of increasing opposition and pessimism, Nehemiah once again rises to the occasion and remains committed, determined to finish the work.

Godly leaders will face opposition and discouragement. There will be times when it seems as if you and Lord are the only ones who care about the task at hand. In those times, you must remember your calling and remain committed to the task. As we examine the declarations of Nehemiah, I want to consider: The Commitment of Godly Leaders. Nehemiah declared:

I. The Lord is Great (14) – And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible (awesome), and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. There can be no doubt that the task Nehemiah faced was enormous, but his God was greater than any difficulty or adversity. Having been granted leave from the king, along with all of the resources and credentials necessary, Nehemiah was well aware of the hand of God on his life and the work in which he was engaged. The task he had undertook was greater than man could possibly complete within his own means – this work required the mighty hand of God to provide and sustain.

Although Nehemiah faced tremendous obstacles, he was able to commit to the reconstruction effort with full assurance of the faithfulness of God. The people of Judah had been led captive to Babylon decades prior, but God had promised a remnant would return to Jerusalem before the first captive was ever led away in bondage. God had kept His promise. Zerubbabel had led the first group back to Jerusalem almost 100 years prior. Ezra the priest had led the second group back to Jerusalem about 14 years earlier, and God continued to keep His promise with Nehemiah returning to rebuild the walls. Why would Nehemiah question the faithfulness of God’s promises when He had proven Himself faithful time and time again?

Nehemiah and those who served alongside him would have been familiar with the faithfulness of God, not just in their lives, but in the lives of their fathers as well. God had led the people out of Egypt’s bondage and drove out the inhabitants of the Promised Land. The people had no legitimate reason to question the faithfulness and power of their God.

While we are not the people of Judah, the church can rest in the power of provision of God as well. We serve the same God who has proven Himself faithful to the Hebrews throughout the times of the Old Testament. While many failed to see it, God always had a plan and purpose in mind, even as He dealt with the Jews of the Old Testament. He was preparing the way for the promised Messiah. Jesus came and fulfilled the promise of redemption, providing salvation for those who come to Him by faith. Following Jesus’ ascension back to the Father, the church was born at Pentecost. There have been many challenges in the two centuries that have followed, and yet the Lord has been faithful through it all. We can rest in the promises and provision of our great God! Eph.3:20-21 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.