The Challenges of Leadership, Pt. 5
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"Then the king said to me, 'What do you request?'
So I prayed to the God of heaven."
(Nehemiah 2:4)
A book that helped me greatly in understanding the spiritual leadership of Nehemiah is Chuck Swindoll's Hand Me Another Brick. I highly recommend it. Swindoll quotes Alan Redpath who wrote this about Nehemiah: "You never lighten the load unless first you have felt the pressure in your own soul. You are never used of God to bring blessing until God has opened your eyes and made you see things as they are."
Great leaders are spiritual men and women. Nehemiah 1:4 reveals the spiritual vitality of Nehemiah's soul when the Bible says he prayed and fasted before the God of heaven. I believe he did so many days, the same days he was mourning. In our scripture for today's devotion, we see him again praying to God.
Now, some may object and point out that there are many great leaders throughout history and today who are not people of faith; they do not know God, yet still they are great leaders. I don't disagree, but I must add that these are leaders whose influence ends on earth, while those who know God influence people for eternity. God has a bigger plan than what we can see, just as He had a bigger plan than what Nehemiah could see. God was preparing Nehemiah to lead His people, and from those very people would come the Messiah, only a few centuries later. I encourage those of us engaged in spiritual leadership, don't be discouraged when you don't see a lot of results, because God has a bigger purpose for you; we may only get to see the full extent in heaven.
In Nehemiah 1:6, our exemplary leader confesses his sins along with the sins of the people: "Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned." He comes before God very humbly asking God to hear and see the prayers he gives, both day and night. He prayed to God often, as desperate times cause many of us to do; we will not settle for a quick devotion or prayer time, but we will cry out to God in unceasing prayer. Note how Nehemiah identifies with his people and confesses his sins: we have sinned; I have sinned. "Even though he was a leader, Nehemiah emphasized his identification with the people and with their sins. Leaders must not consider themselves superior to others; admission of fault will not ruin effectiveness." (Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 172). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
Leader, please glean truth from God's Word and God's man, Nehemiah. Ask questions, humble yourself, and admit what everyone already knows: that you don't have all the answers. You need help. You need other's input. Care for those entrusted under your leadership. Demonstrate compassion in the way you treat your employees and your staff. Finally and most importantly, lead from your spiritual life. Pray fervently. Of course, if you don't know God or are not living in harmony with Him, it will be impossible for you to influence people for God's Kingdom.
Most who are familiar with the book of Nehemiah know that he was a great leader through whom God accomplished amazing feats. Under his leadership, the children of Israel rebuilt the wall in a remarkable 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). He had to overcome many critics and obstacles, but God was with him, and he got the job done. He went on to become a successful governor of Jerusalem. However, in order to understand his great successes, it is vital to realize the salient features of his life in Nehemiah 1-2. His excellent leadership came from a healthy relationship with God, a compassion for his people, and a passion for his project.
I am asking God even now to raise up thousands of Nehemiahs in our day, men and women of great faith and fortitude who will lead the people of God well in these trying times.
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Help children build a lasting foundation.
Point the kids in your life to Jesus with a copy of the Bedtime Devotions with Jesus Bible.
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The Gospel > Racism, Pt. 2
Pastor Danny concludes last week's discussion of how the Gospel is unequivocally opposed to racism and the best force to defeat it. He summarizes what he learned from a recent conversation with retired African American police captain, Freddie Maxwell, as well as the helpful and important remarks delivered at a recent meeting of Christ Together Greater Austin.
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