By the time the second chapter opens, Nehemiah carried his burden for Jerusalem and his people very close to his heart for almost four months. He had been able to keep straight faced until this period while at work. We are told that before this time that Nehemiah, “had not been beforetime sad in his presence” (Neh. 2:1), speaking about King Artaxerxes. Yet, his countenance betrayed Nehemiah, and the king questioned what was wrong since he was not sick. Nehemiah was afraid because his job requirement was to be happy in the king’s presence. He shared quickly about the plight of Jerusalem and the king further questioned if there was a request from Nehemiah.
Burdened in Prayer
We do not know any of the plans or preparation Nehemiah had made up to this point. All we see is Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1 for God’s grace to keep coming upon Israel and for Nehemiah to have mercy in the sight of the King each day. However, Nehemiah’s burden overtook his ability to smile, and the king noticed and reacted with the mercy Nehemiah prayed about. At the king’s question about a request, Nehemiah did not roll out his power points, his agenda, or his vision. At least not the vision at first.
Nehemiah first prayed (2:4). We can imagine this was a prayer raised in his heart since he was before the king and did not want to appear unprepared. However, even short, unspoken prayers can be heard and answered by our great God. Romans 8:26 reads, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Jesus shared a parable about a publican’s humble prayer justified him when only saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13-14). We serve a prayer answering God.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” We would be much better off if we brought everything before the Lord in prayer. In prayer, we not only receive help with material resources, although that can happen, we also receive help with guidance and peace from our Lord. As Psalm 37:5 also says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” By prayer, God stokes the fires of passion emitted by our burden. By prayer, God directs our feet into the path we should go. By prayer, God enables us by His sufficient grace to approach and apprehend the issues we face. By prayer, God revives us when we are weak and tired. By prayer, God receives praise for the good hand He places upon our shoulder.
Consulting and Resourcing
After the prayer, Nehemiah makes a simple statement to King Artaxerxes, “If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my father’s sepulchres, that I may build it” (Neh. 2:5). At this point, Nehemiah’s vision was simple but clear: to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the walls. However, the King needed more information, at least one piece that scripture points out. How long would this project take (2:6).
We learn two things about the change process from this simple question. Nehemiah was pleased with the question apparently because he knew the king was not mad or against the project. In fact, he took it as a green light to go ahead and proceed. We shouldn’t be afraid when people ask essential or tough questions about our vision. Sometimes, finding the answer to those questions help to clarify for them, and us, the vision and the what is needed to accomplish successful change. It promotes a team culture and builds a shared vision.
Secondly, we learn that time is a valuable commodity. Vision ultimately outlives the visionary as others pick it up and keep moving it forward. However, the projects and changes needed to take place require a time frame. Volunteers are recruited easier when they know they won’t be enlisted forever. Also, we are kept on task knowing that there are deadlines. Procrastination is a killer force to change.
Once Nehemiah set a time, which we don’t know, but we do know he took 52 days to complete the walls (6:15), he was aware that resources were needed to accomplish his task. After the king had accepted the time frame, Nehemiah went on to seek protection and supplies. He wanted further proof of King Artaxerxes blessing to rebuild the walls by letters and the procurement of goods. We live in a world that works with materials, economies, and legalities. We must be aware of these issues in our planning and preparations, or we will be blindsided and discouraged by these barriers.
Trouble on the Horizon
Chapter two hints toward and then will fully unveil the greatest obstacle Nehemiah would face, other people (vs. 7, 9-10, 19-20). Three men, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, were governors of the neighboring regions. Even more, they were from people groups that Israel fought against when they first possessed the land. They would use increasing levels of persecution against Nehemiah: mocking, physical harm, deception, and power plays in wielding influence.
Their attempts to stop the work of rebuilding were futile. Namely, as alluded to in the Scripture, Nehemiah and Artaxerxes was open to the possibility of resistance (vs. 7, 9-10). However, being aware and prepared, though very important, is only part of the change agents success in dealing with trouble, whether people or other issues. First, you have to keep faith in God. We serve a big God and “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? Secondly, we keep coming to that God-given burden. Having a passion for an issue or project will help us keep mustering strength when going against the grain.
Clarifying the Vision
The last thing we note from chapter two is that Nehemiah only knew about the destruction of Jerusalem. He did not see the actual devastation until he arrives in verses 11-18. We are then told that Nehemiah did a late night inspection of the walls when no one else was looking. Once he came back, he was more committed than ever and rallied the people with greater clarity. What happened? He saw reality. His presumptions were confirmed, but the actual size of the work was no doubt changed. He wanted to see the whole city restored. He told the King that the gates were broken down, but now he fully saw that the protective exterior walls have been entirely destroyed. For anything to move forward, he now knew that the walls needed to be the central focus.
We can have a vision of what we would like to happen or what we feel God prefers. However, if we do not see the actual reality around us, we will underestimate the size of the work ahead of us. It’s like a taking a leap. We see where we want to land but if we do not look at where we are, we won’t know how much exertion is needed to make the jump. We not only need a vision of the future but we need to clarify our vision with the present. Assessing the current state of our churches or organization is vital if we are to cultivate a lasting change.
Jeremy Kamer Ministries 