Nehemiah was not just a man of prayer, but he was someone who planned and prepared as well. He was a man of action.

During the 3-4 months he was fasting and praying, he was probably also putting together a strategy on how to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It was because of that time of preparation, he was able to instantly ask the king for letters for safe travel and for wood to build the temple. Infact, he also planned for the wood he would need for the house he planned to occupy! Chapter 2 v7-8

Nehemiah set goals. He was a man of vision. In Chapter 2 v17, we see him telling the Jews in Jerusalem about their current state, sets the vision to build the wall with the motivation that they need not live in disgrace. He could've just continued with his comfortable life in Babylon. No one asked him to go to Jerusalem and the Jews probably didn’t even know who he was. Nehemiah made sure to assure them that God's gracious hand was with him and the resources he already had in place from the king. The people were encouraged and they themselves said, "Let us start rebuilding".

We set goals for our work, education, family etc. We spend time to plan our next career move and different life milestones. Do we have spiritual goals? Evangelistic goals? Ministry goals?

Benjamin Franklin said, “When you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. Even as we spend time in praying during this lockdown, let us also plan, prepare and strategize for what lies ahead

(This article was written during the lockdown due to corona pandemic)

Posted