Nehemiah 4:6-18
The story of exceptional leadership.
Context: The children of Israel - The temple is being overrun by the Babylonians. Enemies allowed to overrun them for a season because God was refining them.
God uses tribulations and trouble when He wants to refine you. He chases and corrects those He loves.
He knows he can send you through it because of what He's going to get out of it.
Beginning the process of restoration. Uses influence to rebuild the wall - then runs into trouble.
"The gaps were beginning to be closed...they became very angry. They conspired to come and attack Jerusalem to create confusion."
They were becoming united - all of the powers got angry. Their goal was to keep them from being together.
Evidence of the presence of the enemy = confusion.
A kingdom divided against each other cannot stand. Cyber warfare and the warfare of propaganda.
Nevertheless, we made our prayer to God. (4:9)
People are now standing in the place of doubt and losing faith in His power.
Nehemiah recognized the destruction and realized he needed to be the strategic leader that he is. "Positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall and set the people according to their families."
"Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord. God brought their plot to nothing and all returned to work. Those who built on the wall and carried burdens."
God is on the throne - He is and always will be in control.
Reference movie: Taken starring Liam Nesson 🎬
Daughter calls dad and provides details right before they take her
He responds very calm, "They are going to take you."
In the end, she gets redeemed but her father tells her to accept that she's getting ready to go through something.
Things are about to get real. Jesus told us this - shouldn't be a shocker. All the prophecies and promises about the last days indicate it's going to get very difficult.
Matthew 24:11-14
"Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. The love of many will grow cold. But He who endures to the end shall be saved."
The gospel will be preached to all nations. The backdrop is tribulations - this is the sobering reality; time will tell.
Jesus let us know that "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Why would a loving God allow things to get so tough in this country? The greatest move of God took place in the context of oppression.
The backdrop of Jesus' ministry was oppression. Persecution was a friend of the church that squeezes the finest out of God's people.
Forces us to fight and to become everything He's created you to be. The more they were oppressed, the more that they grew.
Paul claims to be a citizen of heaven - he recognizes that this isn't his home.
Building an ark and trying to get as many people on that ark before the time is up.
Through these global times, God will do His finest work.
8 Characteristics of an Exceptional Leader:
Righteous
Burdened
Prayer Warrior
Favored
Woman/Man of Action
Fearless & Bold
Faith-building
Woman/Man of Strategy & Wisdom
Power is shifting.
1 Timothy 2
"Pray for all those in authority."
Prayer determines the peace on Earth. In times like this, focus your prayers on peace.
The wall is broken, disjointed and disconnected; so is the church.
If we become One, there's nothing we can't do! That's why they don't want us united.
Ephesians 4:1
Therefore, the prisoners of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling which you were called.
Walk worthy of your calling!
This will try you to your core - it will make you face yourself. It's going to be hard but you must bare one another in love (4:2)
Long suffering is not for the weak - That which you can't do in your own strength, God will fulfill.
Fill me with the spirit Lord. "Endeavoring to keep unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." (4:3)
Division is a decision. The spirit is already united.
God didn't call me to agree with you, He called me to be one with Christ.
Nehemiah had a brilliant strategy - He targets the opening of the wall. Openings are places where we are joined, they are access points. Leaving the gate open can be seen as vulnerability; a place where the enemy can have access.
This is an empathy problem - ignorance is the opposite of empathy.
It's much bigger than you and how you're feeling. We've got building to do. We've got the gospel to preach. Keep unity of the spirit until we all come into the unity of faith.
Be bold and courageous, trust in God's plan and fear God only.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)