John preached to the people, urging them to repent. Literally, this means to change one’s mind. This isn’t about planning to eat chicken for dinner and then switching to beef. Repentance is a position of will. The heart, mind, and will are turned toward our Creator God instead of human systems and worldly ways. The Enemy and the world pull us toward things that are temporal and unsatisfying—worthless things. The things that are of The Spirit are eternal and fulfilling.

Dependence on The Spirit gives us the passionate strength to obey. The repentant heart does not simply bend toward God; one turns his or her back on the world’s hollow substitutes. The Spirit-driven will ignores the pull of feelings and allows the urges to pass. He or she intentionally turns their face toward God. 

This is the posture of the disciple; it is the forceful and dependent intent of the believer and follower. This is the changed, repentant mind. The consistent penitent turns 180° from the world and is focused on eternal reward. The disciple takes in the dust of Rabbi Jesus as a devoted follower. 

Prayer – Lord, I want to follow you. Fill me with the strength of Holy Spirit to live in a posture of repentance with my face and mind turned toward you.

Read: Nehemiah chapters 5 and 6

A leader may be misunderstood, have their motives questioned and misconstrued, be accused, become the subject of gossip, be assigned things they never said or meant, and even be outright lied about. This can be discouraging. The enemy loves to confuse us and steal our peace, as well as our peace with those around us.

Nehemiah dismissed these distractions as trivial matters that did not require argument: “I’m doing great work, and I cannot meet with you.” (Neh. 6:3). This approach likely saved his life.

Not only did he refrain from engaging outwardly, but he also chose to use their sour words as motivation inwardly: “I continued the work with even more determination.” (v. 9) I remember Tim Tebow (no relation) expressing gratitude to his critics: “Thank you for the motivation.” Detractors and those who seek to discourage us can inspire us to draw closer to Jesus and accomplish greater things with Him for His glory.

Prayer: Lord, shield me from the enemy’s arrows. May those who aim to harm your name or those who unknowingly discourage me bring me closer to you and motivate me to pursue greater Kingdom work.

Read: Nehemiah chapters 3 and 4

Leaders are often tasked with overwhelming responsibilities. In Nehemiah’s situation, he delegated workers and teams to various sections of a building project. He also had to consider security measures due to external threats aiming to halt the work. Sometimes, the teams comprised members from the same family units and tribes; at other times, they consisted of a ragtag group of volunteers united by their shared commitment to the cause. Nehemiah designated leaders and supervisors to ensure a cohesive project. It was the Lord’s work accomplished by the Lord’s power; what a beautiful plan! However, “the people from Tekoa refused to collaborate with the construction supervisors.”

Any leader reads that line with a laugh and a knowing smile of frustration. Tekoans. That’s where the prophet Amos was from. Hard-working farmers who put food on the table for everyone, skilled individuals/rednecks (it’s a term of endearment where I come from; these are the people everyone relies on in society), and wise folks who knew the Torah inside and out, with a healthy zeal to match. These are my kind of people.

Maybe it was personality, maybe they thought the supervisors were snobs or didn’t know their stuff, or maybe they had a doctrinal disagreement, but they all still worked. And Nehemiah, as the leader, had to work with them.

Leadership operates like this: some people collaborate effectively, while others work “around” each other. Still, we must accomplish our goals. Unity is essential, and we must come to an agreement on key issues; the Bible provides a wealth of wisdom for addressing divisiveness. But “where two or more are gathered, the Lord is with them,” and the issues and “stuff” we all bring to the table, too.

Somehow, the work can still be accomplished. And, perhaps, along the way, we can help each other accomplish the real work: bearing God’s image in our lives and in our interactions with others.

RETURN – Nehemiah 1:8-10 

The Lord keeps His promises. Just as Nehemiah’s people, Israel, were taken to Babylon as God said they would be, they could return. Sin pushes us away from God every time. We may think it’s no big deal or has no real consequence, but sin always comes with a cost. Sin causes its own damage, but God will also apply His hand of judgment as promised, especially upon His own people. But, praise God, He is merciful! “I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for My name to be honored.

“If you return to me and live by my edicts.” Our nation is far from the Lord. Jesus’ bride in America mirrors the rebellious spirit of this nation more than Him. But if you return to me… We aren’t waiting for You to bring revival and renewal, Lord, as if You’re withholding it from us. You are waiting for us to return to You.

Prayer: Convict us to return to You with an outpouring of love for You, Your Word, and obedience to what You have commanded us.