Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy to be here with you today, standing on the common ground of our shared faith, united in our love for God, and our desire to know Him more deeply, to serve Him more fully.

Today, we are turning our hearts and minds to the book of Nehemiah, specifically Nehemiah 2:11-20. This passage of scripture is rich with wisdom and insight, revealing the character of God, the power of faith, and the transformative impact of obedience.

Let’s read this together:

"Then I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God had put into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire. Then I passed on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no place for my mount to pass. So I went up at night by the ravine and inspected the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work. Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem."

Harnessing the Hand of God

When we consider the life of Nehemiah, we see a man who understood the power of God. He knew that God's hand was not just a symbol of divine power, but a source of divine provision. Nehemiah recognized that God's hand was at work in his life and in the lives of his people. He saw God's hand in the king's favor, in the unity of the people, and in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah harnessed the hand of God by aligning his actions with God's will, by praying fervently, by leading courageously, and by persevering faithfully.

Nehemiah's actions were aligned with God's will. He didn't just set out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem on a whim. He saw the need, felt the burden, and knew that this was a task that God had placed on his heart. He sought the king's permission and provision. He was strategic and wise in his approach. He also recognized that the task was too big for him, but not God. If he aligned his actions with God's will, God's hand would be with him.

Prayer was a vital part of Nehemiah's life. He didn't just pray when things were tough, but continually. He prayed before he approached the king, when he inspected the walls, when he faced opposition, when he was planning, when he was working, and when he was resting. He knew that prayer was not just a way to ask for help, but a way to connect with God, to align his heart with God's, to seek God's wisdom and guidance, to express his dependence on God, and to give thanks to God.

Leadership was a key aspect of Nehemiah's life. He didn't just lead by giving orders, but by setting an example. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty. He worked alongside the people. He encouraged them, motivated them, and inspired them. He dealt with conflicts and oppositions wisely and courageously. He didn't let the mockeries and threats of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem discourage him or stop him. He stood firm in his faith and conviction. He knew that leadership was not just about authority and power, but about service and sacrifice.

Perseverance was a hallmark of Nehemiah's life. He didn't just start the work and then give up when things got tough. He kept going. He faced opposition, threats, challenges, and setbacks, but he didn't give up. He knew that the task was not easy, but he also knew that God was with him. He knew that perseverance was not just about endurance and resilience, but about faith and trust. He knew that perseverance was a way to harness the hand of God.

Heeding the King's Command

Now, let’s consider a key theme here: heeding the King's command ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO