Bold Builders
Introduction
That is an amazing statement when you consider the extent of the devastation that was present. For years the people had shown a willingness to live in defeat, disgrace, and even danger, rather than to pay the price and muster the courage to rise up and rebuild the city and the walls of Jerusalem. How then was so much accomplished in such a short period of time with such a people? It was leadership; the bold leadership of one man, Nehemiah.
As I have watched the news the past few days about a tragedy in Arizona, I have noticed how the Republicans seem to be intimidated and stalled in their efforts to rebuild America, much like the people of Jerusalem were in the days of Nehemiah. They, too, seem timid to move forward in the hard tasks of repealing and rebuilding, which is what the people elected them to do. I have also noticed some of the same tactics being used against them are some of the same tactics that Nehemiah's opposition employed against him and his efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The fact is that there will always be opposition against those that are about doing what is right for our Nation and for the work of the Lord. We need bold leaders like Nehemiah in our government and in our churches. Leaders that will not be stopped nor allow their people to take their hands from the plow. Let me suggest several things that Nehemiah, as a leader, would not allow himself or his people to be and do. Let's pray our leaders would be so wise and so bold.
I. Nehemiah Would Not Be Selfish (Nehemiah 1, 5)
As the King's Cupbearer, he had a comfortable life, but he was willing to deny himself and his comforts for the Lord's sake and for the sake of his nation, present and future. He would not allow the selfishness and greed of others to take advantage of the people when they were down. (See Nehemiah 5) Nehemiah would not tolerate selfishness in himself or among his people. We need leaders who are willing to deny themselves and give themselves to the task at hand for the sake of the generations to come. That was the first and foremost common factor that our founding fathers possessed and displayed. Many a work goes undone because no one is willing to deny themselves and put their hands to the plow. Many a work has been stopped because of the hard feelings and divisions that have been created by selfish people; those who were eager to take advantage of people in difficult times for personal gain. No selfish person will ever be a builder. The first law of discipleship is self-denial and submission to the Lord and His call upon your life. (Matthew 16:24) Someone once stated: "In the world of give and take, there are not many willing to give what it takes!!" It takes a man who is willing to die to self. That is Jesus' call; come and die! (Matthew 16:25) Do not be selfish nor self-serving!!
II. Nehemiah Would Not Be Scared (Nehemiah 2:3; 6:9, 11)
The fear of man and what they may do unto you can be paralyzing, but Nehemiah time and time again shows his courage and the ability to encourage others to press on in the face of threats and intimidation. Get it settled. If the work is what that the Lord would have you to do, then the Lord will be with you and He will be against all of your opposition. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) "No weapon that if formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise up against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17) Do not be selfish. Do not be scared!
III. Nehemiah Would Not Be Side Tracked (Nehemiah 6:3)
Nehemiah's opposition time and time again tried to side track him from his work to fight other battles or to negotiate with them. However, Nehemiah knew that was dangerous, and if the work would stop for any reason it would be next to impossible to get the people to restart their work. Refuse to be side tracked! There are things that must have our attention for sure, but always keep one hand doing the work even if you have to use the other to fight. (Nehemiah 4:17) Don't come down off the wall until the wall is built and the work is done! Don't be selfish. Don't be scared. Do not be side tracked!
IV. Nehemiah Would Not Be Sinful (Nehemiah 6:13)
The foes of Nehemiah and his work sought to get Nehemiah to disobey the Word of God and thus putting him in a compromising position. However, Nehemiah saw through their ploy and refused to be sinful and undermine and destroy his influence and right to lead. Satan is always trying to smite the shepherd, to scatter the sheep, and to still the work. Many a tower has gone half-built because the leader sinned and the people lost heart and they quit. Guard against allowing the enemy to trap you in a compromising position. Follow the Word, refusing to depart to the right or to the left. Be a straight and narrow Man of God!
V. Nehemiah Would Not Be Silent (Nehemiah 2:3, 5, 7, 17, 20)
Time and time again we see the oft overlooked accounts of how Nehemiah spoke up when he needed to. Shepherds must never be silent. Sheep follow the voice of the Shepherd. (John 10:4) It must be a voice that gives clarity, courage, and confidence to his followers and pause to his opposition. Today we hear about the need to be civil, but I sense what the opposition really means is for us to be silent. They don't want us to speak a word of opposition to the direction they are trying to take this nation; don't speak the Truth to the people. They don't want us to use our voices to rally the people to the work at hand. To that, Nehemiah would have said, "I refuse to be silent. I refuse to be intimidated. As long as I have breath I will cry out against the foes of liberty, and I will be heard!" Nehemiah set the example for all that see a mess that should be dealt with; those who see their nation in shambles and refuse to pass this mess on to our children, or see the Lord shamed by His people any longer.
Conclusion
What the Church needs, and what our nation needs is for her MEN to be “Nehemiah's”. Or, better yet, to be like Jesus. We look at our Lord's life and see every trait of Nehemiah perfected. It is time for preachers to be prophets, for men to be men, and for Christians to be Christians. Refuse to be silent and still any longer! If we had such men it would be amazing how much the Lord would do so quickly!
"So the Wall was Finished... in FIFTY TWO DAYS." (Nehemiah 6:15)