Heroes... Part 1...Nehemiah

Characteristics of a Difference Maker

DIVING DEEPER into Nehemiah 1-8
I was encouraged on Sunday morning in our church service when our pastor spoke on Heroes from our faith, highlighting Nehemiah. He demonstrated how Nehemiah was a difference maker and how we, too, can develop the characteristics he possessed into our own lives.

The five characteristics of difference makers that he studied included a holy discontent, urgent prayer, action taking, perseverance, and joy. First, a holy discontent was described as when something is not as it should be and it's "driving you nuts." Instead of distracting themselves, people who want to make a difference stay in the middle of the issue so that the fire won't die. They don't run, hide, or lay low. They embrace it passionately. And, they must! For it seems, it is those particular issues that they were designed for and doing any less would be selling themselves short.

According to the first four verses in Nehemiah, we learn that because of his concern with the state of the Israelite remnant who had survived the exile and the condition of Jerusalem, he sought out a report. And, then with the results he sat down, wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed for some days.

It was then that we learn more about the second characteristic of a difference maker. That attribute is to pray urgently. And, Nehemiah immediately sought the Lord on their behalf and not lightly. Fervently, he pours out his plea to God. Between Nehemiah 1:4 and 2:1, he beseeches the Lord over the course of four months. And, in Nehemiah 2:4 he continues the urgency when he prays just before answering the king.

Nehemiah's humility in Neh. 2:8b-18 affirms the sincerity of his prayers and to whose throne he had actually been approaching these past four months. He gave all the credit to God, whose gracious hand had been upon him, and was the reason this earthly king had granted his requests.

Third, he takes action. We see how voraciously he makes one request after another, and then once the king grants these requests, he sets off to complete the job. No time for dust to settle. No time for second thoughts or mental defeats to crouch in and attempt to slow the efforts. Rather he immediately set a time, left for Jerusalem, and was there only three days before he, at night, began to inspect the wall. No one knowing yet his agenda from the Lord.

After his inspection, he approached the Jews, priests, nobles, officials, and any others who would be working on the wall in order to urge them to join the mission. And, join they did though the opposition would come. Every advance Nehemiah made included trouble as we see examples in Neh. 2:10 and 19.

Fourth, we see how Nehemiah modeled persistence. In Neh. 6:3, he kept focused on the task versus the opposition. Persistence is necessary when opposition lurches. For it is distraction from the goal that opposition seeks most. Had Nehemiah diverted and went down to meet with his opponents, a vulnerability to their ploy would have ceased the progress of the re-building. Just where they wanted him. Rather, staying on task must be the priority in such situations. This helps avoid scheming traps on part of the opposition to prevent further progress from being made and ultimately abandonment of the mission.

It wasn't only the opposition that he persisted to resist. In Neh.4:10, we see how the people of Judah became discouraged and considered retreating from the work. Further we see the enemies eager to attack and end the project. And, then Nehemiah appealed to the nobles, officials, and the rest of the people to join and protect them from defeat by their enemies while the workers continued re-building the wall. And, they agreed.

Again we see his persistence when he confronts the nobles and officials about enslaving their people and the imposition of a usury upon them. His persistence was rewarded when they agreed to deploy all such doings, repay, and pledge to keep these promises. Nehemiah prayed that anyone doing otherwise would be shaken of his home and emptied of his possessions by God.

And, ultimately in spite of further opposition from his opponents Nehemiah and all of the workers brought the wall to completion within fifty two days. 'Truly, the work of God occurred for such a feat' was the cry by both the blessed and their enemies. The surrounding nations were afraid.

Fifth, and finally we see the joy of Nehemiah in Neh. 8 as the people listened attentively throughout the morning to the book of the law. Initially they wept and mourned as they heard the law and were grieved by their sin, but Nehemiah instructed them to rejoice, to enjoy choice foods and sweet drinks, and to send some to those who had nothing prepared. And so they did.

So we, too, should consider... what is breaking our hearts? Urgently pray, pouring it out to the Father; take action to make change, persist until the work is completed, and then celebrate that the Lord, he, is good!
In closing, Dwight Moody said, " Pray... as if it all depends on God, Live... as if it all depends on you."