Sometimes the heart in mouth moments help build your trust. The first (or bumpy) aeroplane flight. Practice driving in a busy city. Standing in front of the class to deliver a speech. The crazy set of circumstances where God answers your prayer, in a way you did not see coming. Nehemiah knew all about that last one, and it helped him trust God more.
Nehemiah’s actions show how his experience of God’s good hand caused him to trust God more. Even so, Nehemiah knew the world he lived in, and was sensible in his approach and bold in his leadership. Jesus, on a divine mission to repair the relationship between God and man, was the same. Nehemiah’s example encourages us to trust God more, but to operate in the world God has placed us in, as we learn to trust him more.
The events that led Nehemiah to travel to Jerusalem must have felt like a whirlwind. All of a sudden, he went from a saddened, praying man privileged to bear the king’s drinks, to a man appointed by the king to repair Jerusalem’s walls. It was the sort of situation where he could only but acknowledge that the good hand of God was upon him (v.8).
His journey, probably several months long, is barely mentioned in passing. He arrived and provided his letters of appointment to “the governors of the province Beyond the River”, accompanied by “officers of the army and horsemen” (v.9).
Ezra had declined such a guard, but Nehemiah took it. Different situation, different answer. Ezra was proving a point to the Persian king, his officials, and his fellow Israelites. Nehemiah knew he would face opposition, and took every opportunity to enjoy the king’s support.
His wisdom was well placed. Even from the outset, Sanballat and Tobiah were displeased that favour was falling on the Israelites in Judah (v.10).
Three days after arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah quietly surveyed the state of Jerusalem’s walls (vv.11-15). Nobody knew why he was there, other than that the king had sent him. By going at night, with only a small group, he was able to observe and plan without spies of his opposition getting wind to conduct a pre-emptive strike.
All of this was done secretly. Nehemiah did not know who he could trust. Who would support him, and who would oppose? Nehemiah did not know the local leadership, and did not tell them his purpose straight away (v.16).
But he knew that God’s good hand was upon him, and while God may not have given him detailed drawings and building instructions, he knew that he was doing God’s will. So with the planning complete and everyone guessing, it was time to inspire the troops.
Nehemiah identified himself with the Israelites there, and pointed how “you see the trouble we are in” with the gates and walls in ruins (v.17). To glorify God by demonstrating to the world that they were his chosen covenant people, they needed to rebuild the walls (v.17). They knew God was at work, because Nehemiah told them of how he came to be with them (v.18).
Nevertheless, Nehemiah and Israel faced opposition. The devil is always on the prowl when it comes to ways to frustrate God’s plan and harm God’s people. Sanballat and Tobiah, together with a man named Geshem, jeered and mocked Nehemiah and accused him of treason against the king (v.19). They were worried the rising stocks of the Israelites would affect their own position.
Nehemiah responded that they had “no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem” (v.20) to consider it part of their fiefdom. Instead, “the God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build” (v.20). The devil was attempting to hinder God’s plan, but Nehemiah trusted God more.
Sometimes trusting God requires bold outspoken acts, like Peter and the Apostles before the Jewish Council in Jerusalem. Sometimes, trusting God requires careful planning and secrecy that the forces of the devil or the unbelieving world are kept guessing as to intentions. Sometimes, trusting God requires pressing forward without the state’s help. Sometimes, trusting God means accepting its assistance.
Nehemiah understood the times and problems he faced. Jesus too, understood the world he walked in. Jesus avoided openly talking of himself as the Messiah to avoid misunderstood notions of earthly rule. Jesus spoke in parables. Jesus withdrew from crowds and opportunities because it was not yet his time. There is nothing wrong with discretion applied to our circumstances. It did not stop Nehemiah or Jesus being bold in their leadership. We can be so too.
Nehemiah was able to act wisely, and lead boldly, because he knew that God was using him. Jesus also knew the same, from his youngest days, as he fulfilled God’s mission which Nehemiah had continued to save us from our sins. Because we can see God’s good hand in our lives, saving us, we can wisely act in the world we inhabit, all the while learning to trust God more.