Nehemiah: An Inner Fire

Nehemiah 1

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. ELIJAH. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

There is a dearth of genuine leadership today, especially within the Christian community. I recently spoke with a Christian leadership consultant who noted that, in his experience, social media is enticing many church leaders to chase influence rather than faithfully pastoring. For some, it appears to be more about "loves, likes, and shares" than about truly shepherding the flock. 

Other leaders are blending their teaching with politics. But this isn't new. Years ago, I heard Charles Colson speak. During his political career, Colson was part of the inner circle advising President Richard Nixon. He eventually went to prison for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. While incarcerated, he trusted in Christ, and became outspoken about his newfound faith. To underscore the importance of effective leadership, he would describe how he and Nixon met with groups of church leaders, then later laughed about how gullible those Christian leaders were. This is how he recalled those meetings: 

When I served under President Nixon, one of my jobs was to work with special-interest groups, including religious leaders. We would invite them to the White House, wine and dine them, take them on cruises aboard the Presidential yacht . . . Ironically, few were more easily impressed than religious leaders. The very people who should have been immune to the worldly pomp seemed most vulnerable.^[1]

I thought of that quote recently when I saw a Christian leader featured on Fox News. He was shown speaking eloquently at a national religious gathering with other Christian leaders and politicians sharing their perspectives.^[2]  And then, of course, he posted his interview across all his social media platforms. 

In today's world, we need a clear standard for what true Christian leadership should look like, and Nehemiah provides a powerful example for all of us.

When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, the city was devastated, the temple was destroyed, the walls were torn down, and a majority of the people were carried into captivity. In 539 BC, the Persians conquered the Babylonians and rose to power. Their policy was to allow captives to return to their homelands and rebuild their cities. Under this new regime, Zerubbabel led the first group of about 50,000 Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple—a project that took roughly two decades. Eighty years later, Ezra led a second group back to Jerusalem to restore the spiritual and moral state of the people. Thirteen years after Ezra's return, God called Nehemiah to a great mission.

Nehemiah's story highlights many leadership principles; let's focus on just one.

Godly leadership burns with an internal passion. 

Nehemiah, an Israelite living in exile, held the prominent position of cupbearer in the court of King Artaxerxes.^[3] One day he received a firsthand report about the Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem. They were living in "great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem [was] broken down, and its gates [had been] destroyed by fire" (Neh. 1:3). 

Consider Nehemiah's response: "As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven" (Neh. 1:4). 

We don't know why Nehemiah had not returned with Ezra thirteen years earlier. But on this particular day, when he heard the news about the struggles of his fellow Israelites in his homeland, God ignited an overwhelming burden in his heart, and he knew he needed to act— even though doing so would require him to seek the king's favor.

Nehemiah's first response was to pray—and his petition is deeply instructive. 

Nehemiah begins by acknowledging who God is: "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments…" (Neh. 1:5). He then confesses Israel's sin and disobedience and reminds God of his promises—that these are a people redeemed by his great power and mighty hand (Neh. 1:10). Finally, Nehemiah asks God to do what only God can do: "O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man" (Neh. 1:11). 

God graciously secured for Nehemiah the support he sought from the king so that he could return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls. That is where we will begin next time. But as we close, let me speak directly to our most important leaders—parents. 

When it comes to faith, parents are by far the most influential people in their children's lives. I recently read a report by Penn State researcher Jesse Smith, who said:

American churches have long been concerned about retaining the young people who have grown up in their pews. But research shows churches are looking in the wrong place. Parents are the key factor in whether a child embraces his parent's faith.^[4]

That's not earth-shattering news. We've known this but how are we acting on the basis of it? Put another way: Parents, what are you doing about it? Are you intentionally discipling your children, or are you allowing culture to shape their faith journey? This is not a responsibility you can effectively outsource. It is yours alone. 

At Living Grounded Ministry, we want to help. We are excited about the updated, soon-to-be-released fourth edition of our Living Grounded guidebook. This resource offers a practical way to help you and your children understand your identity in Jesus by firmly establishing the foundational truths of the Christian faith. 

I urge you to make it a priority in the months ahead to have intentional discipleship conversations with your teens. There is no investment that matters more than grounding your children in the truths that will shape their faith—and their lives— for years to come.

If not you, who? If not now, when? 

Stay tuned for announcements about the fourth edition release of Living Grounded or get the third edition on Amazon here: Living Grounded

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Nehemiah 1. In what practical ways are you intentionally discipling the next generation in your home?

Talking to God: Ask God to show you what is holding you back.

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