Nehemiah 2 Commentary
http://www.lovingscripture.com
Many have commented on Nehemiah’s methodical approach to crises. Since every adult saint is likely to face a crisis at some point in their lives, it makes sense to have a quick review of Nehemiah’s formula.
We are always receiving the news. At times this news is very bad news. A man can cry. That’s fine. But don’t let your tears fall to the ground. Nehemiah knew there is a God on whose shoulder he could lean during moments of very bad news. That is the first part, and that is the prayer session we saw in chapter one.
The second part involves action. The consequence of prayer is that the LORD prompts for action. The irony of life is that nearly all saints are guilty of one sin or the other. Some are good at running to the LORD in prayer but they do nothing afterward, regardless of the inner promptings for action. That’s team A. Team B is guilty of running to the king, (action), without first running to God in prayer. Nehemiah did both. The order of these events is equally important.
Team B is terrible because they only remember they didn’t pray about it when they are probably in the middle of implementing the solution. Their fingers are quick to dial numbers of friends and consultants, not heaven.
But I think team A is equally bad because they are the ones quoted in scripture for having a dead faith: faith without works is dead. They are all talk and no action.
The LORD has heard Nehemiah’s prayer and the LORD leads him to face the king. Armed with letters from the imperial palace, Nehemiah finds his way to Jerusalem. But first, he must face stiff opposition from Israel’s enemies, even before the project takes off.
Nehemiah doesn’t leave his brain behind; something to emulate. He goes about it intelligently. Management of information flow is important; and so is engagement. He wasn’t going to do this work alone. Ministers of the gospel must understand that they are not in it alone. The vision from the LORD must be explained clearly and let the partners understand it.
The Book of Nehemiah is a great tool to teach project management and management in general. But the New Testament saint can see more. The wall and gates of Jerusalem were a protective layer around God’s people. When this layer is breached, anything and everything goes in and out freely. God forbid!
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4 verse 23.
Don’t drop your faith; maintain a tight reign over your tongue. Your thoughts and feelings, including your desires; are an important part of the protective layer around the saint’s life.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 