“Leaders care. They care about the right things, and they care in the right ways. Every leader brings unique skills and abilities to the challenges he or she faces, but one of the traits leaders share is an attitude of attentiveness that sees opportunities and who cares what happens next. God may place countless opportunities before us, but we will ignore each one if we’re not prepared to lead. The Bible is filled with people who were able to lead, prepared to lead, and already leading long before God gave them the opportunities that made a mark in history. In each case, they noticed opportunity and responded to opportunity because they cared.” Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Study Bible (Emphasis mine)

Nehemiah was one who cared.  He inquired of his friend from Judah how the exiles were doing since coming back home to Jerusalem. The news was not good.  Nehemiah’s first response: “He sat down and wept.”  In our world today, sometimes I wonder if we are so accustomed to detailed news reports of murder, rapes against the helpless, child trafficking, the innocent families living in war zones killed or tortured in wars as “collateral damage”, the plight of a small country run by gangs who kill and burn down the huts of the helpless in Haiti, the hungry in the hills and valleys who are within driving distance (and sometimes walking distance) in our own country, along with all the hopeless who are lost without God that we no longer have the “band width”, as some say, to care?  When was the last time we sat down and wept over the news?

Nehemiah’s caring response revealed his relationship with God.  His weeping came from a heart that sought the heart of God. Nehemiah’s tears of mourning were accompanied by fasting, focusing on God, calling out to God on behalf of his exiled friends trying to rebuild what was ravaged by the enemy. When was the last time we skipped a meal or two to call out to God on behalf of our brothers and sisters in crisis?

Nehemiah was convicted and confession soon followed.  When we care, God stirs our hearts and transforms our thinking to be more in line with what He thinks.  God cleanses as a first step in His equipping us to be of service to Him and His people.  God is doing this for Nehemiah.  God has a plan for Nehemiah who cares. When has God stirred our hearts so deeply that we confessed our own sins but confessed of the sins of our church as a whole—the Body of Christ?

Nehemiah was the Cupbearer to the King.  We will learn much from God’s amazing story of Nehemiah. The last line in our passage today is hinted precursor to what happens next.  As a cupbearer to the King, Nehemiah is the entrusted with the life of the King. Just like a secret service agent willing jump in front of the President and take a bullet for him; The King trusts Nehemiah to drink the first sip of his cup to see if it is okay to drink or filled with poison with purpose of wanting to kill the King!  If Nehemiah does not die then it is okay for the King to drink. What a line of work to be in, right?!

Hold this thought—Nehemiah’s job will be what God uses to gain favor with the King to help His people in Jerusalem!  When was the last time our vocation helped others find Jesus who transformed and restored their lives?

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah’s Prayer

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, ² Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

³ They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Leaders rise from the crowd who have caring hearts.  Leaders’ hearts are stirred by God. God equips those whose hearts are completely committed to Him. God has a plan for all circumstances and He works His plan in and through all who care, cry out for help, confess our sins with surrender to God. It is then that we become more focused, ready to listen, trust, and obey.

This story has just begun!  There is so much more to learn—stay tuned! 

Nehemiah is one of my personal favorites who demonstrated a heart for God and His people. We watch as God used him in powerful ways. Nehemiah, cupbearer to the King, became God’s wisdom and His cheerleader to the exiles when the opposition  hammered God’s people with slander, mocking, and outright rebellion as they worked hard, trying to do what God told them to do.  We, as the Body of Christ, will learn much—if we listen attentively.

Lord,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your story of power, wisdom, and strength through your servant Nehemiah who cared. Thank you for teaching us “between the lines” of his story.  There are many leadership principles at play here; don’t let us miss a single one!  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  It could be the difference for someone else you are running after to save.  To you be the glory, honor, and praise!

In Jesus Name, Amen