Key Verse: Nehemiah 2:6, “and I set him a time.”
Nehemiah heard about the situations in Jerusalem in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year of exile (Nehemiah 1:1) and he told his request to the king in the month of Nisan, in the same year. We see a gap of four months (Chislev- Tebeth- Sebeth- Adar-Nisan) between the two incidents. Nehemiah was pained about the conditions of Jerusalem right from the time he heard about it. But the pain intensified in the month of Nisan and the king recognized something was wrong from Nehemiah’s face. We can understand that, during the 4 months, he was prayerfully preparing a plan according to GOD’s will, to be executed when he would receive permission to go to Jerusalem. Nehemiah efficiently used the time to pray and focus, even on the minute details of the vision he had in mind.
His plans included:
i) Letters to the Governors beyond the river (vs. 7)
ii) Letter to the King’s forest keeper (vs. 8)
iii) He set a deadline with the king, to go to Jerusalem and return (vs. 6).
Nehemiah could visualize the ruins of the wall and the needs in Jerusalem, as he patiently waited on GOD. Thus, he could set an accurate time for his journey. He was a man filled with passion and zeal, to restore Jerusalem to its former glory.
Practical Living: Have GODLY vision and plans. Know HIS plans by meditating on the BIBLE and through prayer. As a leader, we may have to face a lot of struggles, but, spend time with GOD. Allow HIM to fill you with burden for things which break HIS heart. Never take any initiative or decision, based on our emotions, rather prepare a plan that is according to GOD’s perfect will.
