Introduction: Let’s face it, Nehemiah had vision. But not only did he have a vision, he turned it into provision. It seems that today there are a number of people who have “ideas” but the ideas never get off the ground. While brainstorming with ideas is good, oftentimes it becomes nothing more than “hot air!” It’s like clouds without rain, a heater without heat, a fan without air, a CHRISTian without a testimony.

 

For Nehemiah, he turned the vision into a provision. However, it did not happen without much prayer and fasting, along with the drawing influence and favor of the Lord God Almighty. We too can learn from the providential process of Nehemiah’s vision and provision.

 

1. Nehemiah’s God-given Mission! (Neh. 1:4, 11) – “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.” (Neh. 1:11) “Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.”

 

We’ve been called to be on missions—that is, God’s mission! Jesus Christ’s mission was to fulfill His Father’s will. In so doing, He became obedient unto death, paying the sin debt for “whosoever” will trust in Him. Our mission is to fulfill our Father’s will. Are you on mission?

 

2. Nehemiah’s God-given Vision! (Neh. 2:3-5) – “And said unto the king, Let the king live forever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.”

 

Like Nehemiah, our goal is to see things from God’s perspective, then cooperate with His resurrection power to accomplish His vision, not ours!

 

3. Nehemiah’s devil-possessed Opposition! (Neh. 4:1-3) – “But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.”

 

We should expect critical opposition in doing the work of the Lord. Are you facing any at the moment? Moms? Dads? Servants? CHRISTians?

 

4. Nehemiah’s Division! (Neh. 4:10) – “And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.”

 

Unfortunately, there will be divisions within CHRISTian responsibilities. However, through prayer and God’s power, these setbacks can be resolved. How are you dealing with these divisions?

 

5. Nehemiah’s God-honoring Provision! (Neh. 6:15-16) – “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.”

 

Finally, the goals and vision turned into provision. That makes it worthwhile! Are you getting close to the provision? Hang in there!

 

Conclusion: How much can we learn from Nehemiah’s mission, vision, opposition, and provision? Are you laboring in the vineyards of the work of the Lord? Clarify your mission. Study your vision. Get ready for opposition. But rejoice in the Lord’s provision!

 

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese