Personal testimony of presenting to Microsoft’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner
Prepared for two weeks with numbers, project plans, risks, and objectives
Prayed for God’s peace, favor, and wisdom
God provided grace and the meeting went beyond expectations
Nehemiah had a much larger concern and went to prayer first, a repeating theme throughout the book
God blessed Nehemiah with approval from the king of Persia
Overview of the Book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah and Daniel are examples of practical Christianity in the world
Both books show how to live and work as a Christian in a secular environment
Excellent models for being Christian at home, church, and work
Nehemiah’s name means “Jehovah Consoles” or “Comforts”
Background and context
Born in Persia
Third great leader in the Jewish Restoration (second Exodus) after Zerubbabel and Ezra
Worked at the highest levels of Persian government as cupbearer to the king
Little known about his personal background
Nehemiah’s mission compared to Ezra’s mission
Ezra dealt with spiritual needs: spiritual rebuilding and growth of the people
Nehemiah dealt with physical needs: rebuilding the walls, protection of the people, and development of the nation
Both missions were very important and complementary
Connection to the story of Esther
Nehemiah probably does not rise to high government levels if Esther had not stood up
God’s providential protection of the Jews through Esther enabled Nehemiah’s mission
Again demonstrates the theme of God’s providence
Key Themes in Nehemiah Chapters 1-2
Balance between confidence in God’s sovereignty through prayer and human responsibility through thoughtful planning
The beauty of Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter one (Nehemiah 1)
Similar to prayers of Ezra (Ezra 9) and Daniel (Daniel 9)
A beautiful prayer in the Bible demonstrating deep spiritual character
Nehemiah’s reaction to discouraging news about Jerusalem
Showed he was a man of deep spiritual character
Identified with hardships he had not personally experienced
Denied himself palace luxuries to fast, mourn, and pray
Nehemiah knew he could not solve the situation by himself, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)
Theological Principles from Chapters 1-2
Prayerfulness: Making prayer the first action
True spirituality: Acknowledging that God answers prayers as he sees fit
Confession of sin and intercession for others
Drawing on God’s promises: God is always working for his glory and the good of his people, even when it doesn’t seem like it
Includes personal suffering and hardship
God uses the messiness in our lives for our ultimate good
Presence of faith does not mean absence of organization
Planning, project management, and leadership all have their place
God honors prayer along with order and organization
Exposition of Nehemiah Chapter 2:1-10 – Nehemiah’s Petition to the King
The setting: Artaxerxes notices Nehemiah’s sadness (Nehemiah 2:1-2)
In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes
Nehemiah was very much afraid because cupbearers were expected to be cheerful
Sadness in the king’s presence could be interpreted as disrespect or ill-will toward the king
Could have resulted in execution
Nehemiah’s response to the king’s question (Nehemiah 2:3)
“Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?”
Wisely does not mention Jerusalem by name to avoid reminding the king of past rebellion
Appeals to ancestral honor and family tombs, concepts the king would understand and respect
The king’s favorable response (Nehemiah 2:4)
“What would you request?”
Before answering, Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven
Demonstrates the principle of arrow prayers – quick, urgent prayers in critical moments
Requested letters of safe passage to governors in the region
Asked for a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, for timber
Needed timber for gates of the fortress, city wall, and his own house
The king granted all his requests because the good hand of God was on him
Journey to Jerusalem with royal support (Nehemiah 2:9-10)
King sent army officers and horsemen with Nehemiah
Delivered letters to governors beyond the River
Sanballat and Tobiah were displeased that someone came to seek the welfare of Israel
First mention of opposition that will persist throughout the book
Leadership Principles from Nehemiah’s Petition
Prayer and planning work together
Nehemiah prayed for months (Kislev to Nisan, approximately 4 months)
He also planned carefully what he would request
When opportunity came, he was ready with specific, detailed requests
Wisdom in communication
Carefully chose words to avoid negative associations
Appealed to values the king would understand
Was truthful but tactful
Dependence on God’s providence
Acknowledged “the good hand of my God was on me” (Nehemiah 2:8)
Recognized success came from God, not his own cleverness
Thorough preparation demonstrates stewardship
Thought through all necessary resources
Anticipated obstacles and needs
Made specific, reasonable requests
Exposition of Nehemiah Chapter 2:11-20 – Initial Assessment and Vision Casting
Arrival and waiting period (Nehemiah 2:11)
Came to Jerusalem and was there three days
Took time to rest and observe before acting
Nighttime inspection of the walls (Nehemiah 2:12-16)
Arose at night with a few men, telling no one what God had put in his heart
Went out by night to inspect the walls and gates
The Valley Gate, Dragon’s Well, Refuse Gate were examined
Some areas so damaged he could not pass with his animal
Went up by the valley at night, inspecting the wall
Officials did not yet know where he went or what he was doing
Leaders gather information before casting vision
Assessed the situation personally and thoroughly
Did not rely on second-hand reports
Kept plans private until the right time to share
Nehemiah’s vision casting to the people (Nehemiah 2:17-18)
“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.”
Identified with the people (“we are in”)
Clearly stated the problem
Proposed a solution
Explained the benefit (no longer be a reproach)
Shared his testimony of God’s goodness and the king’s support
The people’s response (Nehemiah 2:18)
“Let us arise and build”
United response to join the work
Motivated by truthful assessment and encouraging testimony
Immediate opposition from enemies (Nehemiah 2:19-20)
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem mocked and despised them
Accused them of rebelling against the king
Nehemiah’s confident response: “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.”
Did not argue or become discouraged
Courageously used his authority as servant of the king and of God
Leadership Principles from Vision Casting and Opposition
Effective leaders understand needs before proposing solutions
Personal inspection and assessment
Took time to fully understand the situation
Vision casting motivates people to action
Be truthful about the problem
Identify with the people (“we”)
Share testimony of God’s work
Encourage through examples of God’s faithfulness
Godly leaders trust in God’s strength, not their own
“The God of heaven will give us success”
Self-confidence rooted in God’s wisdom and strength
Opposition is normal when walking by faith
Criticism and opposition don’t necessarily mean you’re outside God’s will
May actually reinforce that you are in the center of God’s plan
Don’t be discouraged or argue with opponents
Key Truths and Theological Lessons from Nehemiah 1-2
God’s providence is trustworthy
God knew the condition of the walls and was not surprised
God has a plan and moves people according to that plan
Sent Nehemiah because organizing projects and leading rebuilding were not Ezra’s skills
Nehemiah as a type of Christ
Just as Nehemiah was distressed over the condition of the Jews and Jerusalem, Jesus was distressed for us
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)
Nehemiah’s name “Jehovah Consoles or Comforts” is fitting – God consoles his people by sending Nehemiah to them
The power and priority of prayer
Prayer was Nehemiah’s first and best course of action
Humanly speaking, only King Artaxerxes could make Nehemiah’s mission possible
The king had issued a decree stopping construction, and only he could reverse it
Nehemiah prayed specifically: “Give your servant success today by granting him favor (compassion) in the presence of this man”
Nehemiah demonstrates balance between faith and action
Presence of faith does not mean absence of organization
God honors prayer along with order and organization
Prayer and planning work together, not against each other
Application and Reflection
Trusting God’s providence in your life
Can you trust God for direction and guidance in your life?
If God can work for Nehemiah, can he work in your life?
Can you trust God’s plan for you?
Looking for God at work and joining him
Are you like Nehemiah, attuned to what God is doing?
Are you ready to join God in his work?
Nehemiah was very aware of how God was working and responded accordingly
Applying leadership principles
Principles of leadership, prayer, and trust found in Nehemiah apply to personal life, family, jobs, and church service
Where and how can you apply these principles to make an impact on people in your life?
Nehemiah took time to understand people’s needs and motivated them through truth and encouragement
Using your testimony to motivate others
Nehemiah told his testimony of what God had done when he stood before King Artaxerxes
How can your testimony of God’s work in you be used to motivate people to trust in God?
You have a testimony just like Nehemiah had a testimony
Prayer as the first and best response
No matter what emotions you may be feeling, the first and best response is to pray
Prayer is how Nehemiah dealt with his emotions
He didn’t allow himself to be driven by emotion, but rather to be driven by God through prayer
Responding with God’s grace and wisdom in trying times
Our city, nation, and world are being driven by emotion
How are you bringing your emotions to God and submitting them to him through prayer?
Instead of responding with emotion, respond with the grace and wisdom of God
Be like Nehemiah: bring emotions to God, submit them to him, and spend time in prayer to know how to respond and what direction to take
Leadership starts with personal life
Be men of prayer
Be leaders over ourselves
Walk in holiness
Encourage one another: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13)
Practical steps for daily living
Take time each day to pray, worship God, and listen for his leading
Learn the needs of people around us, not just Christians but all people
Pray, plan, listen for God’s voice, and organize around his leading
Be realistic: when you walk by faith and seek to lead, you will encounter hostility from people who walk by sight
