Scripture Reading: Ezra 2:1-2, Nehemiah 1:1-11, Nehemiah 2:1-6, Nehemiah 6:1-4, Nehemiah 13:1-14
Nehemiah is often put forth as a model for Christian leaders to follow, and he’s not a bad choice. He was an ordinary person doing what God compelled him to do—thus accomplishing the extraordinary.
I love Nehemiah because of how simply and earnestly he relied on his relationship with God; he lived according to an unwavering obedience, doing whatever God put before him. Nehemiah had many opportunities to take an easy way out or to take the high road of prideful superiority. Instead, he took God’s path for him.
Here are some of Nehemiah’s specific choices that encouraged me.
Nehemiah heard the news of Jerusalem’s demolished walls, and he mourned the loss. If I’m honest, I might have heard the news about Jerusalem’s broken walls, been heavy hearted for a moment, and then thanked God that he had given me a more stable position in life. After all, Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. But Nehemiah went to God with his tears and prayers (Nehemiah 1:4). He praised God and repented (vv.5–7), remembered God’s promise to be faithful (vv.9–10), and pleaded for success (v.11).
After asking God for his success, Nehemiah acted. Although he was fearful, he prayed to God and asked the king for a leave of absence (Nehemiah 2:1–6). When the king granted his request, Nehemiah didn’t frantically go about making things happen. With wisdom, he thoughtfully took his next steps. Even when he arrived in Jerusalem, he didn’t announce the big plan God had put on his heart. He carefully and thoughtfully executed it (vv.1–20).
Nehemiah defended Jerusalem from enemies with grace and courage (Nehemiah 6:1–19). But these enemies weren’t just outside the gates—he found dissension and injustice among his own people and division between them and God. He confronted corrupt leaders (Nehemiah 5:6–12), led the people back to God’s word (Nehemiah 9:3; 13:1–2), restored the temple, and ensured its leaders were properly taken care of (Nehemiah 13:4–14). It sounds exhausting and difficult, but as Nehemiah continually ran to God (Nehemiah 6:9), God gave him the wisdom, courage, and strength to accomplish every single task before him.
Through Nehemiah’s actions, we see God’s heart for His people. When we are obedient to God’s call like Nehemiah was, we also accomplish what is on His heart for others. His story reminds me that at every juncture, I have a choice to make: I can show up to walk God’s road and communicate His love to others, or I could sit back and pray half-heartedly that someone else will. The book of Nehemiah as a whole points our hearts to Jesus who, centuries later, became the ultimate servant leader, passionately devoted to His God and His people, moving heaven and earth to gather them to Himself. Jesus did what Nehemiah could not do: He brought true and perfect salvation, once and for all (Hebrews 2:10–17).
Written by Ginny Owens
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5 thoughts on "Nehemiah"
Lord may I be a Nehemiah in my every day.. holding fast, pausing, and trusting your timing in any given situation. May the gungho approach not be my default, but YOU,Lord God..
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Thank you Father God, Thank you that with you things fall into place, without you, oftentimes does not bear thinking about..
Thank you Father God, Thank you..
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BUT GOD…
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Amen.
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Happy Friday, my dears..
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Love, hugs and prayers, always..❤️
Hello!
I haven’t been commenting much- or reading many comments. Sorry! Life has been so crazy. But, just wanted to say I went to a Bridal shower recently and they had a game with famous Bible couples. Doing this reading plan really came in handy as I was all refreshed on who a lot of people were. I won! haha!
House update: They have not started on our house yet. I don’t know when they are. Our land is very full of brambles and they need to cut that back to see what the actual ground looks like. Hopefully that can happen soon, but we have no news. Thanks for praying in the past. Really means a lot to me.
A. Walton.. lovely to see you here. Sorry there’s not much movement on the house front, but reading between the lines… it is well with you and yours..
God bless you and yours, and may He continue to give you his peace, covered in His love..❤️
GINNY OWENS, thank you for this compelling and convicting devo! Ginny said:
“I have a choice to make: I can show up to walk God’s road and communicate His love to others, or I could sit back and pray half-heartedly that someone else will.”
Ooh, that smarts a little, but is so very true. I am reminded of the apostles who dropped everything to walk the road with Jesus. Convicted again! I may never be a Nehemiah- rebuilding a city wall/gate, but I can commit to rebuilding fractured relationships, showing compassion to those with broken spirits, and hopefully drawing others back to God in the process. In His strength and time.
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Leeland – Where You Are lyrics
I can’t get enough
No I can’t get enough
Of Your amazing love
I can’t get enough
I can’t walk away
No I can’t walk away
From where I’ve seen Your face
And I can’t walk away
And I just wanna be where You are
I just wanna be near Your heart
There is nothing like Your love
There is nothing like Your love
Jesus I love You
With all the angels singing
Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy
Jesus I love You
Songwriters: Leeland Mooring
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Cee-Gee, is this you? You are up early? Or am I late? Story of my life lately..:)
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So beautifully said my friend… and song choice.. perfect! (Clapping hands)
Much love..❤️