Passage Read: Ezra 10 - Nehemiah 3
Meditation Verse: Nehemiah 2:18
Thought
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king. What did he know about rebuilding a city wall or governing a province? Yet as cupbearer, he may have heard many plans and progress reports from other big projects, and learned many unexpected things in his position. So when he heard about the situation in Jerusalem and got this idea to go and rebuild the walls, he also thought through a plan to complete such a task. But what experience did he have? He was a cupbearer, surely a highly trusted position. Would the king would be willing to let him go? But he prayed. He had this desire and he would look for an opportunity to make his request. And at the first mention of it to the king, he found an opening, so he answered with definite plans. When he reached Jerusalem, he surveyed the task, then gathered the people he intended to do the work and laid the vision before them. They readily agreed! Nehemiah may not have had much experience in organizing and leading people, but he had a specific vision, made concrete plans that others may have considered foolish, and he had the courage to trust God and step up to the task. And God blessed him and granted him both favor and success.
Application
How do I know if God is promoting a vision and task? Am I qualified to do these new things? If I have authorities and they agree to it and put material and logistical support to it, and when those who need to do the work with me also readily agree and pledge their manpower, then I can be sure that this is from the Lord. But what if I'm to do something almost completely new? If all that I need comes together smoothly, then I can have confidence that this has come about from the Lord. If there is no material support, I shouldn't go forward with the task. Perhaps the time has not yet come. Perhaps it has no blessing and support from God at all, so it would be foolish to press forward.