[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lessons from Nehemiah

Nehemiah, By Oke Chinye

Read: NEHEMIAH 1 & 2

Meditation verse:

[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lessons from Nehemiah: “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down. And wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1: 4).

The book of Nehemiah is a very useful resource that offers a guide or template to follow as you set out in whatever task you have decided to undertake in your bid to rebuild the broken walls of decay around you. Seeking God’s face concerning that which you are about to embark on and asking for His help is always a good place to start. On hearing the distressing news Nehemiah knew he needed God’s help and mercy if he was to succeed, so, he turned to God, in fasting and praying. “And I said: I pray, Lord God of heaven, ….and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” (Nehemiah 1:5-11).

Next, identify your key supporter. Your key supporter is usually a ‘gate keeper’ who would grant you access to the resources you need. It may be access to information, people, networks, influence, finances, platforms, or gates. Without your key supporter, you may not be able to begin. For Nehemiah, it was the king. He needed the king’s permission before he could leave his duty post.

Thirdly, you need to do a thorough evaluation of the project or goal and come up with an action plan. Luke 14:28 says “but don’t begin until you count the cost” (NLT). You must make a thorough assessment of what the project would entail or cost you. Cost does not only imply money. That which you are about to begin may require your time, commitment, discipline, and sacrifice. It may require you to forego certain things. You must make evaluate all of these to determine whether you are ready. That way, you will not start and fail to complete. Nehemiah said, “and I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate and viewed the walls of Jerusalem …” (Nehemiah 2:13).

Choose your team: those who will join you to carry out the task. Make them understand and buy into the vision. “Then I said to them…, come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach. And I told them…., so they said. ‘Let us rise up and build…” (Nehemiah 2:17-18).

Recognize that you may face obstacle or challenges but be determined to proceed with a strong faith in God. “But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us…., so I answered them, and said to them, ‘The God of heaven Himself will prosper us;” (Nehemiah 2:19-20).

Lastly, arise and get started. Unless you get started, a good plan remains just what it is: a good plan.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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