Leaders Celebrate Accomplishments & Point Others to the Lord

Too often we seek the Lord in prayer for a word or vision, but once started, we get distracted by our own pride, disagreements with others, or just the work itself, and forget to work in a spirit of prayer.

Leaders Celebrate Accomplishments & Point Others to the Lord

This week's devotions are written by my friend Dr. Ken Coley, Director of Ed.D. Studies and Senior Professor of Christian Education at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

- Pastor Danny

"All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate."

(Nehemiah 8:1)

As we draw our week of devotions on leadership behaviors to a close, let's review the spiritual commitment of Nehemiah, a leader from the knees up. In chapter one, Nehemiah responds to the gut-wrenching news about Jerusalem by weeping, mourning, fasting, and praying for a number of days (v. 4).

In chapter two, Nehemiah was praying during his conversation with King Artaxerxes. The King specifically asked Nehemiah to state his requests, so he was praying as he did so (v. 4). Once the King reveals all that he has decided to do on Nehemiah 's behalf, Nehemiah responds, "The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was upon me." (2:8b) Notice: there was no victory lap or chest thumping. He points the reader to God. His humble focus on God continued in Jerusalem as he cast the vision for the city: "I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me..." (v. 18) When faced with his first taste of opposition in Jerusalem, Nehemiah declared: "The God of the heavens will be the one who will grant us success." He trusted in God and stood his ground.

In chapter four, Nehemiah reports that once the work started, more derisive insults were launched his way. Did he back down, slow down, or come down? Not at all. He prayed and cried out to God about his enemies. "Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken to a land of captivity." (4:4) As the threats became more real, Nehemiah tells us, "So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them night and day." (4:9) Throughout the remainder of his narrative about the construction of the wall and the ever-present threat of attack, the leader refers to God's presence with them, inspiring his crews not to be discouraged (4:14, 15, 20).

In chapter six we are amazed to read about the rapid restoration of the wall around Jerusalem:

"The wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God." (6:15-16)

Look what was accomplished: a collapsed wall that had been a disgrace to God and His people for generations was restored in a miraculously brief time. Second, the surrounding nations were put on notice that Jerusalem would no longer be defenseless. And, most importantly, God was honored by this amazing accomplishment.

Too often we fail to follow this great leader's model. In some cases, we earnestly seek the Lord in prayer for a word or vision from Him, but once started, we get distracted by our own pride, perhaps disagreements with others, or just the work itself, and we forget to walk and work in a spirit of prayer as Nehemiah did. Furthermore, we may finish a project and fail to celebrate what the Lord has done, preferring to focus on the next item on our To Do List.

Let's close with a look at the celebration in which the newly appointed Governor led the entire city. Chapter 8 states, "All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate." We all desire this for our congregation every Sunday as we gather for worship, don't we? As Ezra read from Moses, "All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law." (8:3)

Nehemiah, God's leader for this important season, once again pointed everyone gathered for worship to the Lord God of Israel. No mention is made on this day of celebration about any human accomplishments. It was all about God's character and his blessings. As a leader, are you remembering to park the bus and have a time to celebrate? Often, we just move on to the next project without moments of celebration and reflection. And when you do, are you pointing others to God's blessings and favor?

It has been a joy to spend this week with you. I hope that as the Lord continues to use you to fulfill His visions in your home, church, and other places of service, you will be inspired by the leadership of Nehemiah.