Nehemiah 2:1-20 – Nehemiah risked his comfort to evaluate the work required to reestablish the people of God. When God puts a plan together, we see how He uses people and processes to accomplish something great.
When God Puts a Plan Together from Rocky Creek on Vimeo.
Nehemiah’s Example
- Nehemiah’s burdened disposition varied so greatly from his norm that the king noticed (2:1-3).
- Prayer was such a consistent habit for Nehemiah that he stayed connected to God even when talking with the king(2:4).
- For four months, Nehemiah prayed consistently and planned thoroughly (2:5-8).
- While God and the king were favorable toward Nehemiah, that did not insulate him from opposition (2:8-10).
- God led Nehemiah in what he should do, but Nehemiah had to evaluate how to do it (2:11-16).
- Nehemiah mobilized a people with a confident trust in God and a compelling vision to go forward (2:17-20).
Our Response
- Years of consistent integrity is what it often takes to acquire favor from another.
- The more you prioritize scheduled times of prayer, the more natural you will pursue spontaneous times of prayer.
- There is nothing incompatible with praying for God’s direction and planning your next steps.
- Anticipate resistance any time you plan on doing something for God.
- You risk nothing if you ambitiously attempt something God desires.
When God puts a plan together, there is no force powerful enough to stop it.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.