Over the last few months I have
spent much time studying Nehemiah and learning from his leadership example. As
I look ahead to 2013, I see many parallels and lessons from Nehemiah for the
church in America.
In 2012, we witnessed mass
shootings leaving dozens dead; the breakdown of the family through divorce,
absent fathers, and the legalization of same-sex marriage; an estimated 1.2
million abortions; rampant sexual immorality; and corporate ethical failures. This
is just a snapshot of the current state of America.
As cup bearer to the king, Nehemiah held
a very important position, akin to the role of Secretary of State in our
society. As Christians, we are children
of the King- ambassadors for Him (2 Cor 5:20) and part of the royal priesthood
(1 Peter 2:9).
Nehemiah was broken over the
condition of the walls in Jerusalem when approached by his brother. Just as the
current state of America is nothing really new or unique- the walls had fallen
140 years prior to Nehemiah 1. Will 2013 be the year where the current state of
America will break our hearts? Will 2013 be the year that we fall before the
Lord in weeping, mourning, and fasting as we look around us? Will we be marked
by prayer of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication as Nehemiah
was in chapter 1? We must express adoration to the Lord for who He is and how
He has revealed Himself to us in Scripture. We must confess our sins as
individuals and churches. We must thank Him for the great promises that the
gates of hell will not withstand the moving church (Matthew 16:18) and that all
of our needs will be supplied (Philippians 4:19). We must go before Him with
our specific needs moving forward. We must truly be people of prayer!
Nehemiah demonstrated great respect
to those in power, specifically King Artaxerxes. As the people of God, we must
demonstrate respect toward those in power (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13) because
God may also grant some of them to look up on us with favor as Artaxerxes did
toward Nehemiah, and pray to that end. As missionary Hudson Taylor said, “it is
possible to move men through God by prayer alone.”
Nehemiah had a clear sense of
calling to the task and knew what he needed to do. Likewise, as Christians in
America at the start of 2013, we know what we must do: proclaim the gospel and
make disciples- teaching them to obey the Word of God (Matthew 28:18-20).
Nehemiah exhibited a strategic plan (2:5-8), so must we as the church in
America- proceeding forward with specificity and clarity. Like Nehemiah, we must also recognize it is
because of God’s hand being upon us as His church that we can accomplish
anything (2:8)!
A key leadership strategy for
Nehemiah was that he laid out the work into manageable sections. The wall to be
repaired was several miles in length, an overwhelming task for many. Yet,
Nehemiah broke down the work into doable sections and got everybody involved in
the coordinated effort. As we look at the state of America today, the tasks and
problems seem equally overwhelming. Yet, as individual believers, we all have
small/manageable spheres to have a significant kingdom impact- our schools,
workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. Many small works will have
tremendous kingdom impact.
Nehemiah was no stranger opposition
and encountered it throughout his work: ridicule, threats of violence, internal
opposition and personal attacks. As we complete the work we have been called to
we should expect nothing less; we are at war. Nehemiah did not retaliate,
prayed continually, and persevered in the work while taking specific actions
when needed (e.g. setting up the guard, addressing sin within the people of
God); recognizing that God is the one who will fight for them (4:20). We must
approach opposition in the same way.
Nehemiah addressed internal sins
and the call to holiness in chapter 5. As churches and individual believers, we
must be striving to live lives of holiness in every area. In addition to being
called to holiness (1 Peter 1:15, 2 Peter 3:11), as the church we do not want
to give any fuel for our opponents (5:9).
As a result of Nehemiah’s courageous
leadership, empowered by God and rooted in prayer, the wall was completed in 52
days. Likewise, as we move forward as the church in 2013, rooted in prayer and
empowered by the Lord’s strength- there will be a Kingdom impact!
I believe that 2013 will be a
challenging year in many regards. However, as individual Christ-followers and
as His church, our mission has not changed. May we be broken over the current
state in America and move forward: grounded in the Word, rooted in prayer, and
led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. May our actions in 2013 have a tremendous
impact that will ripple into eternity!
