CRITICAL THINKING. Nehemiah 2:5-6 Even though Nehemiah was in the presence of the king and queen, he had not left the presence of God. His prayer was brief and spontaneous, offered without hesitation or questioning whether it would be answered. Such prayers were characteristic of Nehemiah. He knew God was always present to hear and answer his prayers.
We can pray at any time, confident that God hears us and knows even our unspoken thoughts and intentions. God is always near when we call upon Him with a pure heart, even as we talk to others. The thought-prayers in emergencies are not beyond God’s hearing and understanding. This comes from cultivating our relationship with Him by keeping our “minds stayed” on Him. The peace that comes from that relationship is not broken by the circumstances that might arise.
Nehemiah had a precise answer to the question posed to him. He had carefully considered the problems that would have to be faced and was willing to take on the burden of solving them. He also assumed responsibility for the whole project and could define the matter and the solution in one sentence. In essence, Nehemiah was asking the king to reverse his previous decree concerning Jerusalem and to allow his trusted cupbearer to complete the project that had been started but halted due to local opposition in Judah.
Perhaps his thoughts had been something like this: “I have my regular duties to perform. Don’t let him know how I am feeling inside. The time is not right yet. Or is this the day? Is this the time I should ask? Maybe it is. He has wine before him, and his mood seems okay. Why can I not stop crying? Lord, help me overcome this emotion because he wants more wine right now. Oh, I can’t stop the sadness, and he’s looking right at me! You have made this happen today, Lord. Help me say the right thing!” Nehemiah’s view of the city was of a city of sepulchers – tombs of his forebears. Almost like a dead city: open, vulnerable to attack, helpless against all foes. But more than that, it was in a state of reproach. What was once strong is weak. What was once beautiful is now sad to look at. What was once the glorious center of God’s dealings with His people is now a reproach to the name of the Lord. How can I do anything about such a state of affairs? I will build it again; I will go at this set time; I will take responsibility; I will do what God put in my heart. Send me: because the good hand of God is upon me! Send me: because the work is in my heart! Send me: because I know God is in this work! Send me: because I can see the need and know how to address it! Send me: because God has answered my prayers in this matter!
Whether it is Nehemiah seeking to preserve what is important to God; or Isaiah, humbled by a vision of God; or the Lord Jesus, sent by the Father to incarnate grace and truth in a fleshly body as a man; or me, sent by the Lord Jesus Christ, to incarnate grace and truth in my generation – for us all, we are not going just because we want to; we are going because we are sent.
We are sent by the One authority who knows what He is doing. We are sent by One who knows what needs to be done. We are sent by One who believes we can do what needs to be done. We are not sent to mess around, but to get to the work and see it through to completion. We are sent to repair what can be fixed and to build what needs to be started and finished. We are sent to deal with what is wrong and to encourage and promote what is right. We are sent with a strength greater than our own, so we won’t claim private ownership of what really belongs to the Sender. We are sent, and the reputation of the Sender lies in the hands of those He has trusted with the work. We are sent, and there’s no point in quitting or coming back with the job undone. It would be unthinkable not to bring to a conclusion a task He has entrusted us with. He has not sent us only to make a start but to finish the work He has given us to do.
Maybe Nehemiah looked ahead in his mind and heart to the day when he could say: “The wall is finished; the work is done. Shall I go quietly away? No, that’s not fair to all those who labored so hard with and for me. Let two companies go up David’s stairs to the top of the wall. Let them feel a sense of ownership of this work beneath their feet, with fellow laborers around them and the towers and gates in view. Let them sing, shout, rejoice, and worship! Let the women and the children see that they are part of a great work. Let these laborers go first. I’ll walk along behind, and then we who are responsible can turn all eyes and hearts toward God.”
There was no need for further discussion; just a decision. The only question asked was “How long will your journey be?” or “How long do you think it will take to do the job?” Nehemiah had planned ahead, likely knowing that the question would be asked, and had thought the whole thing through so that he could “set a time.”
Thoughtful consideration should be given to any project, work for the Lord, or activity that will affect others. That is part of what it means to be accountable to the Lord and to those He has chosen to guide His people. Vague, casual, imprecise, and spur-of-the-moment ideas are not acceptable in any important work, especially in divine service. We may run into difficulties, which is understandable, but there needs to be a course of action and a timeline that motivates us to press ahead with the work. When something arises that seems to bring a work to a halt, it needs to be carefully evaluated to determine whether the plan was right in the first place and whether we have been sidetracked or need to refocus on the original purpose.
HOW LONG? You have been traveling this road for a long time – How long until this work is done? You have been searching for a way to lasting peace – How long until the Savior comes? You know it is right to obey what the Word of God says – How long will you procrastinate? There is no question about what God’s ways are – How long until you take that way?
When you became a child of God, He gave you gifts – How long until you use them? You know there are things you can do – How long until you lift others’ loads? People around you need to hear the Gospel of peace – How long until you tell them God’s truth? Many have not understood salvation by grace – How long will you wait to explain its worth?
There are many around the world waiting to hear – How long until you are willing to go? There are millions who live quite near you. How long until you show your faith? You can teach your children and grandchildren – How long until you sit down with them? They need to see how you live, not just hear you preach. How long until you talk to them alone? This journey of life I am on will soon be over – How long shall this journey be? When I draw near the end, and the angels hover – How long will I have to breathe? The final words I will have to speak – I pray that now and then I can bless – How long until I pass to heaven?