The beginning point of Nehemiah's task started when his heart was broken over the condition of his city. To accomplish something great, our heart has to be affected to the point where it moves us to action. Immediately, he then turns to the only one who can do something about his passion for Jerusalem - he turns to the right source. He prays and asks God to intervene and lead him to see Jerusalem restored. After he gets permission from the king to go to Jerusalem, he examines the walls at night and it is here that we see just what God had put into his heart. We must get something of God into our heart that is much bigger than we are, something that only comes from Him. For if we don't, we will never live for something bigger than ourselves. Are we open to letting him put something there?
He then gathers the various communities together and lets them know what God has put into his heart and they each say, "let us rise up and build" and they strengthened their hands for the good work (2:18). In other words, it takes a community to a fulfill the call of God upon our lives, not just the leader. Everyone did their part, where they lived and worked to restore the walls in their neighborhood. The result - the entire wall was around Jerusalem was fixed in 52 days - 52 days.
Obviously there were specific plans that lead them to finishing the wall, but underlying passion is what really accomplished the task. It is that way with ministry today. It is not our great strategies that are the key, but it is living for the honor of his name that leads us to live for something larger than ourselves. Are we ready for God to put something in our hearts?
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