Text by Krisha Saliendra
Read:
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Nehemiah 2:4-5 (NASB)
4 Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, I request that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
Reflect:
Every leader possesses the qualities of being dependable, critical thinker, open-minded, and visionary. But what sets a Christian leader apart?
The story of Nehemiah showed us the different qualities of a leader sent by God to rebuild His nation. While working as a cupbearer to a foreign king, he received news that broke his heart – their people were in great distress because the wall had been broken down and burned with fire. Just like many of us would probably do, Nehemiah sat down and mourned. But he did not stop there, he fasted and prayed. (Nehemiah 1:3-4)
In Nehemiah’s prayer, he acknowledged the faithfulness and sovereignty of God despite their unfaithfulness as a nation. He also asked for forgiveness on behalf of all the Israelites. He humbled himself before God and asked for a favor before the king. (Nehemiah 1:5-11) And yes, he did not stop there. Nehemiah went on his usual work as a cupbearer, and the king noticed the unusual sadness on his face and asked him about his request. But before he presented his request, he prayed again to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 2:1-4) And the king granted his request to go to Jerusalem to build its wall.
Yet, the building of the wall was not without opposition. Despite this, Nehemiah remained persistent and courageous knowing that God was on their side. He was able to gather the people to work while he himself was working with them. They were prepared not only with a plan and tools for building but even with weapons to fight their enemies. (Nehemiah 4:18)
Nehemiah did not let themselves be discouraged amid opposition and threats. Instead, he remained a prayerful leader throughout. (Nehemiah 4:4-5,9). He knew his task was to rebuild the wall, but he also knew that it is the Lord who will make it happen. And his bravery comes from the truth that “God [is the one who] fights for us.” (Nehemiah 4:20)
Respond:
Are you faced with difficult challenges? Are you in a situation where you don’t know what to do? Are there people counting on you?
Pray. “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 (NASB)
Growing up in Sunday School is the reason why Krisha decided to become a teacher. She has been teaching in Sunday School since she was 12 and six years ago, God allowed her to teach in a Christian school in Taguig. Her heart goes out for the young generation, that their ways will be made pure by the Word of God (Psalm 119:9), just as God has preserved her through His Word.
AUTHOR: Krisha Saliendra