God Raised Up a Leader

In Nehemiah’s day, the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins, the city a literal pile of stones. The church was totally backslidden with no witness left. The wicked powers surrounding Israel persecuted them severely, mocking every work they tried to undertake.

How did God respond in such a time of ruin? Did he send a well-trained army to help them? Did he send a palace guard to smite their prominent enemies? No, God raised up a man named Nehemiah.

Nehemiah was a man with God’s burden on his heart. He spent his time praying, fasting, and mourning because he was broken over Israel’s condition. He also continually dug into God’s Word, grasping prophecy and moving in the Spirit.

Although Nehemiah served as cupbearer to the king of Persia, he remained separate from the wickedness surrounding him. In the midst of all the sensuality, immorality, and godlessness taking place in Israel, he maintained a holy walk with the Lord. In turn, everyone who heard him preach was purified in soul.

Because he was a man of prayer, he was able to confess the sins of a whole nation: “Please let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant which I pray before you now…. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which you commanded your servant Moses” (Nehemiah 1:6-7).

The house of God also was purged, with everything of flesh cast out. Nehemiah sent workers into the temple, telling them, “I want every piece of filth out of here. Don't leave anything that has to do with idolatry or sensuality” (see Nehemiah 13:8-9). Beloved, this is God’s concept of revival! It is all about sweeping out every chamber in your heart that’s unclean and unsanctified. He wants no dark places left.

Where did Nehemiah get such spiritual authority to cause compromisers to tremble and to bring back godly fear to the temple? The king did not give it to him. No church bishop gave it to him. He didn’t learn it from a Bible school. No, Nehemiah got his authority on his knees, weeping, broken, wanting to know God’s heart.