Glance through newsfeeds on your device and it won’t take long to find another story of an organizational or leadership breakdown. Although things may appear smooth and stable on the surface, beneath an often thin veneer it is not unusual to find internal strife or organizational confusion.
Guess what – that’s nothing new.
It’s been around for thousands of years…
Every leader faces problems. But should we solve them by using strategies found in best-selling leadership books?
Or is there another way?
It would be the dream of today’s content creators to write promotional materials for the memoirs of Nehemiah, the governor of Judah in the latter part of the fifth century B.C. They would almost be salivating at the opportunity to mine this amazing text from the Bible which speaks directly to contemporary concerns and offers such practical guidance in so many areas of life.
Here’s a glimpse of what that copy might look like:
Become a Leader and Discover How to:
- Strategize and execute actionable plans
- Influence others positively and foster a culture of cooperation
- Navigate challenging authority figures
- Inspire and empower team members
- Unlock eight essential strategies for overcoming obstacles
- Achieve success where others have faltered
- Attain victory through collaboration rather than coercion
While each of these insights (and more) are gleaned from Nehemiah, it would be remiss to overlook its most crucial aspect: Nehemiah’s deep devotion to God. His intimate connection with God through prayer and personal piety enabled him to tap into divine wisdom, patience, skill, and perseverance, essential for accomplishing his monumental task.
And what a task it was! In 445 B.C., Nehemiah journeyed from the Persian capital of Susa to the ancient Jewish hub of Jerusalem to oversee its reconstruction. Devastated 141 years earlier by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, Jerusalem lay in ruins, its once-majestic walls reduced to rubble. Despite the daunting circumstances and the discouragement of previous failed attempts at reconstruction by returning exiles, Nehemiah orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. In just fifty-two days, amidst fierce opposition, he oversaw the completion of the city’s formidable defenses, commencing work on August 1st and concluding on September 21st.
How did he achieve the seemingly impossible? Nehemiah attributes the success not to his own prowess but to the divine intervention of God. When granted permission by King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah acknowledged God’s favor, stating, “The king granted by requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me.” (Nehemiah 2:8). Confronted by formidable adversaries such as Sanballat and Tobiah, Nehemiah remained steadfast, affirming, “The God of the heavens is the one who will grant us success” (v. 20). Upon completion, Nehemiah attributed the feat to divine assistance, declaring, ” …this task had been accomplished by our God” (Nehemiah 6:16).
Nehemiah exemplifies exceptional leadership qualities, offering timeless lessons. Yet, beyond his leadership acumen lies his profound reliance on God – a lesson equally vital for us today.
May God raise up leaders like Nehemiah in our time of need.
Inspired by Nehemiah: Learning to Lead, by James Montgomery Boice
27gen.com 