Ready, Willing, and Anointed
The Book of Nehemiah is one of those books in the Bible that is packed with guidelines and information on how to be a great leader. Along the way, It gives us lessons on decision making, planning, and implementing those plans. In chapter two, we are now entering into a time in the life of Nehemiah where he is ready to implement his plan to rebuild the walls for his Jerusalem. We last left Nehemiah back in chapter one with his pleading prayer to God for success in going to his country and inspecting the situation. It has been four months since that prayer. There is just one big hurdle to overcome in order to begin his journey.
There are few areas in life where we do not come in contact with accountability to someone or some idea. We may be accountable to someone over us, to some standards set for us, or to our employees or customers. In any case, we are held accountable to the task of developing our leadership skills, while at the same time, holding ourselves accountable. Not an easy job.
Nehemiah worked under the authority of the King of Persia who was known as a man steadfast in his positions and hard to change. Nehemiah was loyal to his King, but at the same time, his heart was in Jerusalem and not in Persia. It has been four months since Nehemiah's prayer. So, the question comes, what has Nehemiah been doing during these four months? We see in verse one of chapter two that evidently he had not been depressed or despondent about the situation for he states - "I had not been sad in his (King) presence before." So what kept Nehemiah from becoming sad? As we read on, we come to understand that during this four month time, rather than sulking over the situation, he had been praying and planning. He is now before the King, and for the first time, sadness is shown on his face. Prepared and ready to go, that sadness opens the opportunity for Nehemiah to lay out his process and needs for the execution and success of the plan.
Notice, also, before Nehemiah responds to the King, he goes to God in prayer. I would guess that a lot of us would start spilling out the whole plan without thinking. At least I think that may be my response. We live in a culture that demands that we be sharp thinkers and quick on our feet with an answer from those we are accountable to and to those in whom we need help. There has to be excitement running all through Nehemiah for this is the answer to his prayer over the last four months. Yet, he has the spiritual wisdom and discipline to think to go back to God for wisdom in the moment.
We see in the following verses that Nehemiah not only lays out his plan, but he gives a definite time table needed to execute and accomplish the plan. I find the part of having a definite time established interesting. We hear so many times where people in a similar situation respond with comments such as; " we are going by faith letting God lead us on His time table". Yet, that is not the case with Nehemiah. He has spent four months in preparation for this moment, therefore, he is able to be very specific with every detail, including a definite time period. Without a doubt, faith is a definite requirement, but organization is, also. Nehemiah had been doing more than praying in the proceeding four months - he had been organizing every detail of his plan. The presence of faith does not mean an absence of organization. Praying is discipline, planning is hard work and it should always include both faith and organization.
Nehemiah got his answer because he was organized and he had a plan. Part of his plan was to take into consideration the possible obstacles that would come his way. Too many times, we venture out without counting the full cost. We can tend to look at those things as being negative, and therefore, end up only keeping our eyes on the glory of the success. And finally, in verse 9, we conclude where Nehemiah gives God all the credit and glory for his undertaking. And what was God's response? He blessed him with far more than he had asked. God blessed him with an abundance. Being ready and willing requires careful prayer and planning. Being successful requires the anointing of God.
