The story of Nehemiah is one of the most inspiring examples of biblical leadership. Nehemiah was a Jewish exile living in Persia, serving as the cupbearer to the king. When he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins and the people were in great distress, he was moved to action.
Nehemiah’s response was not just to pray, (Neh 1:4-11) but to take practical steps to address the problem. He asked the king for permission to return to Jerusalem and lead the rebuilding of the walls. With the help of the people of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was able to complete the task in just 52 days, (Neh 6:15-16) despite facing opposition and criticism from his enemies.
“The greatest crisis in leadership today is a crisis of character. And the greatest crisis of character is a crisis of authenticity.”
Howard “Prof” Hendricks
What can we learn from Nehemiah’s leadership? Here are a few key principles:
- Have a clear vision – Nehemiah had a clear vision for what he wanted to accomplish: rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He communicated this vision to the people and inspired them to work together (Neh 2:17-18) towards a common goal.
- Trust in God – Nehemiah knew that the task of rebuilding the walls was not just a physical one, but a spiritual one as well. He prayed for God’s help and guidance throughout the process and relied on God’s strength to overcome the obstacles he faced.
- Take action – Nehemiah didn’t just pray for the situation to improve, he took practical steps to address the problem. He was willing to take risks and make sacrifices to accomplish his goal.
Nehemiah’s leadership was characterized by authenticity, humility, and deep faith in God. He was willing to take bold action to address the needs of his people, but he did so with a servant’s heart and dependence on God’s strength.
In conclusion, Nehemiah’s leadership is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when we have a clear vision, trust in God, and take action to address the needs of those around us. May we learn from his example and seek to lead with authenticity, humility, and deep faith in God.
