Nehemiah faced opposition when rebuilding Jerusalem's walls but was not deterred by fear. He acknowledged his fears to the king but refused to let fear stop God's work. When undertaking tasks for God, expect opposition but press on, trusting that God will help accomplish his purposes. Spiritual renewal can start with one person's vision; Nehemiah inspired others with his dream, and through teamwork they rebuilt the walls despite obstacles.

2. 538-520 B.C. 458 B.C. 445 B.C.

3. Nehemiah reminds himself of the
nature of God: He is a God of
forgiveness, a God of restoration, a
God of great power. When the
heart is right, God can change all
the external circumstances of a
situation and make it entirely
different. And He will do so. He
promises He will!

6. Persevere:
to persist in anything undertaken;
maintain a purpose in spite of
difficulty, obstacles, or
discouragement; continue
steadfastly.

8. Nehemiah wasn’t ashamed to admit his fear, but he
refused to allow fear to stop him from doing what
God had called him to do. He acknowledged the
king’s position and clearly stated the reasons for his
own sorrow. When we allow fear to rule us, we make
fear more powerful than God. Is there a task God
wants you to do, but fear is holding you back? God is
greater than all your fears. Recognizing why you are
afraid is the first step in committing your fear to
God. Realize that if God has called you to a task, he
will help you accomplish it.
LIFE Application

9. I replied to the king, “O king, live
forever! Why would I not appear
dejected when the city with the
graves of my ancestors lies desolate
and its gates destroyed by fire?”
Nehemiah 2:3

10. “So know and understand: From the
issuing of the command to restore
and rebuild Jerusalem until an
anointed one, a prince arrives, there
will be a period of seven weeks and
sixty-two weeks. It will again be
built, with plaza and moat, but in
distressful times”.
Daniel 9:25

11. Trust GOD from the bottom of your
heart; don’t try to figure out
everything on your own. Listen for
GOD’S voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go; he’s the one
who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Message

13. When Nehemiah arrived in Judah, opposition
greeted him. Opposition to the rebuilding of
Jerusalem had been going on for 90 years by
those who settled in the area when the Jews
were taken captive. In every generation there
are those who hate God’s people and try to
block God’s purpose. When you attempt to do
God’s work, some will oppose you; some will
even hope you fail. If you expect opposition,
you will be prepared rather than surprised.
Knowing that God is behind your task is the
best incentive to move ahead in the face of
opposition. LIFE Application

16. The officials did not know where I
had gone or what I had been doing,
for up to this point I had not told
any of the Jews or the priests or the
nobles or the officials or the rest of
the workers.
Nehemiah 2:16

17. Spiritual renewal often begins with one person’s
vision. Nehemiah had a vision, and he shared it
with enthusiasm, inspiring Jerusalem’s leaders to
rebuild the walls. We frequently underestimate
people and don’t challenge them with our dreams
for God’s work in the world. When God plants an
idea in your mind to accomplish something for
him, share it with others and trust the Holy Spirit
to impress them with similar thoughts. Don’t
regard yourself as the only one through whom God
is working. Often God uses one person to express
the vision and others to turn it into reality. When
you encourage and inspire others, you put
teamwork into action to accomplish God’s goals.
LIFE Application

21. “Now the man of tears and prayer appears
as a careful strategist: one who formulates
just the right way to approach the king; who
carefully appraises the demolished
condition of the wall without telling anyone;
who makes sure he is prepared to confront
his regional opponents; and who finds the
best way to persuade the people to support
his project”
The Communicators’ Commentary,
Mark D. Roberts