Here are my thoughts and highlights from Nehemiah as I continue my journey through the Bible:
- At one point Nehemiah was praying to God and he said, "Look at me, listen to me. Pay attention to this prayer of your servant…" It makes me feel better to know I’m not the only person who sometimes wonders whether or not God is listening.
- Nehemiah also prayed, "Make me successful today." That’s the prayer of a revolutionary.
- Nehemiah had a clear vision for life. And, he didn’t shrink back from sharing that vision with important people.
- He invited other people to join him in his vision. "Come–let’s build the wall of Jerusalem and not live with this disgrace any longer." Nehemiah knew better days were ahead, and he invited others to experience the adventure with him.
- I can act in confidence when I know I’m embracing God’s will for my life.
- "We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work." Amazing things happen when a great vision is married to a people with passion to fulfill that vision.
- Nehemiah was responsible for feeding 150 people. One ox, six choice sheep and chicken were prepared daily. Additionally, a large supply of wine was delivered every 10 days. There must not have been any Baptists on the building site.
- I love the way Nehemiah modeled commitment to his vision. He demonstrated how we should respond when people try to distract us from God’s vision for our lives. "I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?"
- "They translated the Book of The Revelation of God so the people could understand it and then explained the reading." That’s what the church needs to do today. We need to translate God’s Word for today’s culture.
- God is gracious.
- God is compassionate.
- God is incredibly patient.
- Thank God.