(Nehemiah
2:11-2:20) As we observe
Nehemiah set the stage for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, we
discover principles for setting the stage for church revival. He
evaluated the situation, recruited workers and faced down his
critics.
THE
PLANNING STAGE
Nehemiah
left as soon as his documentation was in order. He arrives at
Jerusalem with the King's permission to rebuild the walls and
authorization to take timber from the King's forest. He is also
escorted by the King's troops. It seems that the need for building
permits was not created by our society.
He
paused for three days to evaluate the work. He toured the city and
noted the condition of the walls. He looked for resources, potential
leaders and measured the morale of the city. A leader who seeks to
guide a church through renewal must do the same. Moving a church from
decline to growth is a difficult task that is filled with peril. What
are the causes for decline? Those issues that can be addressed must
be prioritized. Who are the gatekeepers? How much will it cost and
how will it be financed?
THE
PARTNERING STAGE
Nehemiah
recruited help by appealing directly to the people. He knew that the
current leadership could not fix the problem. Too often, it's the
leaders who say it can't be done. God needs a Nehemiah type to come
in, find resources and cheer the church on fulfill God's mission.
There are countless churches all over America that are told they
can't. Maybe denominational consultants can't. Maybe church leaders
and pastors can't. BUT GOD CAN!
Nehemiah
was open and honest about the condition of the walls and gates; the
work would be hard. Then he said, "Let us rebuild."
I
heard a preacher say, “Faith can move mountains, but don’t be
surprised if God hands you a shovel.”
He
presented the spiritual perspective. The
ruins of Jerusalem represented their spiritual disgrace. The
collapsed walls gave the pagans the idea that the God of Israel has
abandoned his people. A building project is more than just brick and
mortar. There are spiritual opportunities and challenges. Nehemiah
assured
them that God’s hand was in it. It’s God’s mission and He will
give the victory.
They
replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work”
THE
PERSEVERANCE STAGE
God's
people can expect persecution when we do his work. Jesus promised us
we would, “...they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (John
15:20 NIV)
He
also said we would be blessed for ours is the Kingdom of Heaven.
(Matthew 5:10 NIV)
Nehemiah's
arrival under the King's authority diminished the power of some local
big shots. They mocked and ridiculed and said that Nehemiah was
breaking the law. Verbal
onslaughts have always been part of the enemy’s demoralizing
tactics.
When
a church starts coming together to do God's work after a long period
of apathy, Satan puts it into high gear. Slanders, whispers of
discontent, stubborn opposition and vicious attacks will come from
people who were once quiet and sweet. God's people can become
discouraged by such action but now is the time to persevere. Satan's
howls are indications that the church is coming back to life.
Nehemiah
doesn’t answer their lies or engage in a conversation with them.
Nor does he ignore them. He declares, “The God of heaven will give
us success.”
He
doesn’t let their criticism stop the work that God wanted done. He
says, “We
his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share
in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”
Those
who ridicule and mock and threaten miss out on God’s plan. Now that
is leadership at its best, keeping a biblical perspective toward the
opposition.
When
we follow God, we should expect spiritual opposition and even be
thankful for it. It’s a sign that we’ve angered the enemy and
encroached on some territory that He thinks is his. If there’s no
conflict or opposition, then we’re probably not disturbing the
enemy enough.
the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Hand Me Another Brick
by Chuck Swindoll
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