Chapter 2 (faithful)

I'm sorry there was no post for last week. I sent emails out to those of you who get emails for this study and your responses-- for those of you who responded-- have been read and replied to. Your names and your concerns are in my prayers (as well as on a sticky note on my desk) and I will be asking you all how things are going as times goes on. Pray for one another. Pray for me. Pray for diligence.


This post is for the rest of Chapter 2.

I'll be honest, compared to the first three sections (I like giving each chapter a couple sections) this second half of chapter 2 requires a little more digging.

Nehemiah shows up on the scene in Jerusalem after a long journey (depending on the route-- and depending on which source of information you go by it was anywhere from 500 to 1,500 miles) and rests for three days. He then begins his research and plan for the rebuilding of the wall. Keep in mind, this was not the first time the walls had been attempted to be rebuilt. But each time before ended in failure with most of the rocks from the original wall still down in a ditch somewhere (literally).

But look at how Nehemiah accomplished his goal. We've already looked at his prayer life and we will remember that but not focus on it for this section.

Nehemiah isn't concerned with puffing himself up. He doesn't show up in Jerusalem and have a parade for himself or shoot off confetti or put "Vote Nehemiah" signs on people's lawns. Instead, he rests (v. 11) and then gets to work by himself (unless you count the "animal" with him [probably a mule according to Allistair Begg]).

He isn't ashamed to be about God's work by himself. He doesn't whine and say "If God would only give me some company or a friend I would be about his business." No, he gets to work and doesn't care. Why? Because God has placed that motivation in his heart and Nehemiah is faithful to carry that out even when difficulties come up.

2 Corinthians 5 tells us that we are compelled by the love of Christ. In fact, the verse that everyone misquotes "I can do all things..." is actually talking about keeping the right mindset and the right motivation even when things around us get ugly. That is being faithful.

We are part of the family of God. Nehemiah (after he has carefully planned out his objective and his challenges) rallies the Jews to one cause by reminding them of their unity. In verse 17 he starts a pep talk by saying "we" and "us" rather than "me" and "I". This isn't a false vanity trip to make them think they are terrific people. He does this to remind them that they are a unified body chosen by God. As ministers of God's glory we have to remember that it's not about who we are, it's about who God is. There will be times where we are called to minister and people won't notice it. Our gut instinct (truly, our fleshly visceral instinct) is to wonder why people aren't noticing us or praising us or commending us but we have to realize that we are either glorifying God or we are glorifying ourselves and there is really no way to do both. And God has designed it to be that way for a reason.

Be a ninja when you minister. Don't worry about whether people will see you or notice you just focus on getting the job done effectively. Be faithful to your Savior.

True, there are verses that talk about shining in ways that people "see your good works" (e.g. Matthew 5:16) but it always comes back to doing it in a way that they glorify God rather than us. It's a narrow path to walk. It has to be. Be faithful.


If you are trying to serve God faithfully, then you are also engaged in spiritual warfare. Everything that tends to your victory is good. Everything that tends to your defeat is evil. If you can see that, it will make a great difference in how you fight the battle.

-James Mongomery Boice

Chapter 2 (provision)

The entire Bible is a history of God's providence.

Chapter 2 starts off several months after the close of chapter 1 (I think that was in an earlier post). In that time Nehemiah has been praying and planning what he will do about the destruction of Jerusalem. He realizes that prayer is essential (as we discussed in the last posting) but he also realizes that he has some responsibility of his own.

After five months of prayer Nehemiah puts his plan into action when Artaxerxes asks him why he is so sad in his presence (v. 2). As soon as the king asks that Nehemiah is given an opportunity to make a move. He could have thrown up his hands and say "I quit!" and stormed out. He could have been angry and vented to the king and gotten himself into a mess of things. He could have told the king what was wrong and waited for him to do something about it.

But Nehemiah is faithful and prepared. He puts it plainly and personally for the king without going overboard. Nehemiah draws Artaxerxes along a trail of question and answer and eventually gets permission to rebuild his city. Not only permission but also the blessing and the materials and the security of the king. We'll talk about that in a bit.

Throughout this whole exchange Nehemiah never loses focus on God. He is praying during the conversation (v. 4) and when things are finished he realizes it is only because of God's good grace (v. 8). How often, after we have done something good, do we praise ourselves more than God? We serve a sovereign God. How will we respond when things go right? How will we respond when things go wrong?

Nehemiah planned in the five months of prayer. In verses 7 and 8 he asks the king for wood to build the doors of the city and for safe passage through the Trans-Euphrates area (those people didn't like the Jews and had tried to stop Jerusalem from being rebuild already [Ezra 4:11-16]). How often do we think that God will do everything for us? God loves us like that but he also wants us to grow up. So often we follow the direction of our hearts and think that if it's God's will then it will work out. While parts of that are true we can't ignore our responsibility in life. If we have been praying for the salvation of a friend and see no progress the first place we should look is to see how well we are witnessing to them rather than ask why God hasn't spoken to them "out of the whirlwind". If we are praying for a good future spouse we can't be messing around with other options in our dating world and being irresponsible with our bodies. If we are asking God to bless our feet and our paths we have to be faithful to walk in His light and in His goodness.

How are you doing with God's provision? Are you faithful? Are you responsible? Does your life reflect your God? Do your choices reflect what God has for you? When you pray do you mean it and do you remember it? Be faithful.

Psalms 20