THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAHNehemiah was a contemporary of Ezra. He served as the cup bearer of King Xerxes. While serving in exile, Nehemiah heard of how the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed. This was a disgrace to the Hebrews and then other nations were mocking the Israelites who were remnants.
On hearing this, Nehemiah concluded that enough is enough. He therefore, decided that something had to be done and this had to be quick enough.From the outset Nehemiah new that he was a leader and a good one for that matter, he was not going to sit down and see this sorry state continue unabated. He never practiced the principle of blaming others but took it squarely upon himself. He never delegated. He understood that as a leader he was required to provide direction and this he did leading from the front. He never sent somebody, but put his life on the line as a good example.
Where is your relationship?
Is it where you anticipated it to be by now?
Could it be resonating with the state of affairs in Israel with broken walls and leaking from all direction, open to abuse and ridicule? The subject of relationships is a broad one. But I will address it from the perspective of the involvement of a child of God.I need to hasten to say "Thank God" because we have one greater than Nehemiah with us. He is the mender of broken relationships. Could it be possible you are think loudly "And how did I enter into this relationship"?
Here are the antidotes for your situation, Rather the materials for building your broken walls
1. Prayer, Nehemiah 1:4,9, 5:19, 13:14,22,29,31
Prayer internalizes the burden, deepening our ownership of the need.
Prayer insists that we quiet our hearts and wait, slowing us down to receive from God and not our wet appetites for microwave answers.
Prayer infuses the vision thus, enabling us to see what God wants us to do and not what we think needs to be done.It is not about how beautiful our strategy is, but how much God is involved. I god is not the initiator, then you better as well forget about it.
Prayer indicates the vision's fulfillment, acting as a catalyst for us to act. You want to move at the speed you are convinced you are making in-roads, engage prayer.
2. Timing and Commitment Nehemiah 2"1-5
4 months after Nehemiah heard of the sorry state of Jerusalem, he speaks of the same to the king. He had enough time to brood over the issue think and calculate the right possible time to make know of his people's predicament to the king.
Timing enables us to :-
i) Own the burden of the vision which is in this case your relationship
ii) Lay a foundation of prayer (Do not pray to provoke) Pray with wisdom if necessarily, do it heartily.
iii)Plan with readiness. Ensure you are ready to tackle the challenge ahead of you.
iv) Deepen trust between other party. Work out to ensure that you in out to look for a complete solution, not partial.
3. Declare the Why before explaining the What. Nehemiah 2:5-17
i) Commit yourself to oversee the project run to conclusion. The project here is your relationship Nehemiah 2:5. It is you to take the initiative and not leave the burden to your pastor.
ii) Have the material ready for the building Nehemiah 2:5. This will include your listening, communication {both spoken and body language skills, information gathered over a period of time that is useful to the growth and development of your relationship.
iii) The situation is demanding thus, you need to be ready to commit your 100% input or less you will not get anywhere, Nehemiah 2:17. The result will be determined by how you prepare to handle the challenge ahead of you. Prepare with the word and pray that God will have his way and not your personal plans. Pray that the will of God may prevail in this matter. Also be prepared to be called names, to be jeered and to be laughed at will be part of the recipe of you building your relationship.4 Asses the situation before you make any move. Nehemiah 2:11-15
i)Get first hand information before you proceed. In other words do your ground work and realize what will be the workable formula. You know what the bible says that our battle is not against flesh and blood. knowing that it is a spiritual battle, then changes the approach also. So do not fight carnally. Contact heaven the source of your strength and power. Do not go with the grape vine, neither should you choose to work with the gossip world. You are distinct, a child of the kingdom. You do not do your things the way the world does hers.
ii)Do it quietly, personally assess the damage. I counting the cost of following Jesus and being equipped for the battle ahead. Though it may be stormy outside, do not be intimidated for you have the master who quietens storm dwelling in you. Be encouraged you are not an orphan, But the beloved son of the Living God. Spend time studying the word of God, meditate on what you have read and let not this depart from your mouth during the day and even at night when the devil might be tempted to pounce simply because you are asleep. He who is your protection never slumbers or sleeps. Meditate, pray and worship in all times.
iii) Plan without interference or unwanted advice. For your relationship to excel consult the master counsellor and take with a pinch of the salt the advice of men. Most men do not have your interest at heart. Learn to sieve through the pieces of advice by relying on the Holy Spirit who is our trainer, teacher who will lead us into all Truth. Nehemiah 2:18
5 Receive Buy-In Information from the other party, Nehemiah 2:18
i) Sell your idea until it is appealing, attractive and appetizing enough to be received with both hands. Let your opposition feel totally and thoroughly invited.
ii)Allow people to dedicate themselves to your vison. Do not force them. Let the light in you so shine so that the world may see it. You are a city on a hill that cannot avoid to be seen. Therefore, position yourself to be that instrument worthy enough for the master's use.
6 Organize the People and Let the get working, Nehemiah 3:1-32
Nehemiah went out and applied his organization and planning skills and the result produce was in direct proportion to the effort applied. This is what it will require you and I to do in order to restore our relationships to the place God intended it to be as He embarked on our creation.
i) The people did not work harphazardly
ii) They were organized by family and
iii) They worked according to the plan. It was not a free for all affair. No there was serious coordination
iv) At the central nerve as they worked was Nehemiah himself. He applied the principle of leadership whereas the manager orders people to go, the leader goes with them.
v) Much work more than anticipated and expected will have to be done in order to realize your dream.
vi) Great leadership and careful planning are key towards rebuilding relationship walls. There is no room for loosing forcus, getting tired let alone giving up!
May the good Lord bless us as we stand out to REBUILD THE BROKEN WALLS OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS. It may/Might not be easy, But thank God we have somewhere to begin from Nehemiah 4:1-3. It will require a strong will, a Big Heart and Great focus. All these resources you are endowed with. Therefore go ahead, Believe it, Act it and Live it in Jesus' name!! Amen!
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