This series has been exciting and quite convicting for me. I have heard a good response from our people and that's awesome because it means that the Holy Spirit is at work in their lives; calling them to respond. This past Sunday we began chapter two of Nehemiah where he humbly and in great fear approaches the king and boldly makes his requests to be sent to Jerusalem.

I walked through 5 characteristics that we could pull from Nehemiah's time with the king, but in this post I wished to be brief and specific about one in particular. As I reflect on Nehemiah 2, it is this point that can culminate much of the other characteristics.

Planning and Preparation

Nehemiah was a man of prayer; with such humility, helping us to see his relationship and dependence on the Lord. AND while he prayed to the God of heaven, he did his homework on Jerusalem (i.e. how much time he'd be away, resources and supplies needed, etc.). The take away is that he was sound in his approach to a big decision as a result of his prayer life. In fact, he spent 4-6 months praying and fasting. How serious are you about your relationship with the Lord?

One of the things that I love about Nehemiah and his response is that it's not only emotional, but biblical. It's not only out of grieved heart, but sound judgement. In other words, Nehemiah doesn't approach the king emotionally and without a plan, shooting from the hip. Rather, when asked about what his needs, Nehemiah is specific about his goal and what it will take to accomplish it. And make no mistake, just because he was clear about what he would need the reminder here is that he's speaking out of a broken and grieved heart for his people and city.

Often, I'm the guy that goes straight for the plan. I want to devise the best plan possible because my thinking is mainly about preparation and execution, but very quickly forget to (1) evaluate my heart in light of who God is and (2) approach God with whatever is on my heart. I'm so ready to execute that I quickly forget about the goal.

I wish and pray to have that kind of humility. The kind that drives me to my knees in worship of God and then to be strengthened by Him because of a recognized need, not because I think my gifting is capable of accomplishment. Nehemiah's bold request are a result of the Lord being with him in light of Nehemiah's deep foundation for the Word of God.

What does your humility (or lack of) say about your relationship with the Lord?

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