On day six of the ill-fated mission of Apollo 13, the astronauts needed to make a critical course correction. If they failed, they might never return to Earth.
To conserve power, they shut down the onboard computer that steered the craft. Yet the astronauts needed to conduct a thirty-nine-second burn of the main engines. How to steer? Astronaut Jim Lovell determined that if they could keep a fixed point in space in view through their tiny window, they could steer the craft manually. That focal point turned out to be their destination--Earth.
As shown in 1995’s hit movie, Apollo 13, for thirty-nine agonizing seconds, Lovell focused on keeping the earth in view. By not losing sight of that reference point, the three astronauts avoided disaster.
Scripture reminds us that to finish your life mission successfully, "Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
Today I want us to continue our look at Nehemiah and vision.
Why do we want to look at a book written in 450 BC?
Two major reasons. First, Nehemiah was one of the most visionary leaders of the Bible. He pulled off one of the most amazing projects in the Bible—the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. Second, the book of Nehemiah contains the step-by-step process of vision.
The first chapter of Nehemiah lays out the five steps of preparation for vision.
1. Collect information
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." (1-3)
Nehemiah questioned those with firsthand experience about the conditions in Jerusalem. He gathered all the information he could get. He studied the circumstance. Why?
Because Nehemiah understood this vital principle: vision is best birthed out of thorough knowledge.
It is not unspiritual to think, study, and do some basic research.
Two areas we must study to collect the necessary information to prepare for vision.
First, learn about the unchurched people in our community. Sometimes you will hear people say, “All you need to do is preach the word of God.” That statement is not true. The preaching of the inspired and inerrant Word is central and is fundamental. We must have Biblical preaching for people to come to know Jesus Christ. But we also need to understand the people that we are trying to reach.
Think about what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Paul studied and collected the necessary information on those he was trying to reach whether it was the Jews, those under the law, or the weak.
The second area we need to study is on churches that are reaching unchurched people. When you want to learn something you go to the people who are doing what you want to do and are doing it well.
2. Holy discontent with the status quo.
What Nehemiah learned about the conditions in Jerusalem changed his heart forever. Look at his response in verse 4.
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. (1:4a)
Nehemiah was heartbroken. God broke his heart over the people of Jerusalem and their condition. God let Nehemiah feel about Jerusalem the way He felt about Jerusalem. God let Nehemiah see Jerusalem the same way He saw Jerusalem.
Vision is usually birthed out of heartache and burden. It must come from the heart.
Think about it:
§ Jesus wept over the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6)
§ Moses stood in the gap for the Israelites (Exodus 17:4)
§ Jeremiah wept over the burden he carried (Jeremiah 3:21)
As long as we are content with the status quo, we will not discover God’s vision. Ask long as we are happy with the status quo, God will not speak. IF we are more concerned with not rocking the boat than we are with storming the gates of hell, we will never discover God’s plan for His church.
God gives us His vision when we are desperate. He speaks to us when our whole heart and mind and soul is set on Him. When we are hungry and thirsty for God, We find Him.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
3. Fasting
For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4b)
We covered this last week so I will be brief.
Fasting is the giving up of food or some other activity in order to devote more serious time and attention to prayer.
It involves a giving up and an adding to. You give up something regular in your schedule so that you can add more time and energy to spend in prayer.
It is a method of seeking God that we dare not overlook. You cannot say with integrity that you have sought God’s vision until you have sought Him in times of fasting.
4. Prayer
Nehemiah had a major commitment to prayer. He understood the relationship between prayer and vision.
Notice his commitment.
Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. (5-6)
Nehemiah fasted for several days—but he prayed for several months. He bathed his vision in prayer for start to finish. Look at how he ended his prayer.
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." (11)
One problem we have with receiving God’s vision is hearing God’s voice. We are often so busy serving God that we have trouble being still enough to hear His voice.
B-Being
U-Under
S-Satan’s
Y-Yoke
Many times we suffer from the Elijah syndrome—being so busy doing things for God that we do not take time to seek God. The problem with not spending time in prayer is this: those who talk with God most usually hear God best. And those who do not talk to God often usually do not hear Him at all.
5. Waiting
Finally, there is the waiting. This is usually the hardest part because God is not on our timetable.
Look at what was going on behind the scenes in Nehemiah’s vision process.
§ The wall in Jerusalem had been down for seventy years.
§ Nehemiah had been in the king’s service for twenty years.
Even after Nehemiah got started in his vision quest, he had a four-month time lapse. Chapter one occurs in “Kislev” which is the Persian name for December. Look forward to chapter two. It occurs in “Nisan”. Not the Japanese car but the Persian name for April.
I don’t know about you but I hate to wait. Patience is not one of my spiritual gifts. It never fails, you run in to Kroger’s to get a loaf of bread and the person in from of you is buying enough to feed a small army or you go to the ATM and the person in front of you has chosen this particular time to do their estate planning. WE have a microwave mentality.
Vision is usually given to those who patiently wait for it.
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Conclusion
Definition of God’s will:
§ Doing the right thing
§ In the right way
§ For the right motive
§ At the right time
Notice the importance of waiting. The difference in a home run and a long foul ball is timing.
