Scripture:
Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2; Psalm 133; Luke 22 (New International Version)
Observation: Nehemiah 2:12 I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
Nehemiah is living in another land and should be happy that he is not directly affected by the damage in his homeland, yet he is distraught and unable to do anything but think of his people’s suffering. Though in a place of high importance, his heart breaks for his people and he desires to go back and help them. Once he gets permission to leave, he takes his servants but refuses to tell them where they are headed.
Application: When God gives us a picture of what we need to do, we don’t always need to go tell everyone immediately. We need to envision a plan to accomplish the picture before we jump to telling everyone what God has in store for us. Often, when I decide that God has laid something upon me to do, I want instant buy in. If I don’t get it, I question if it was really from God. Nehemiah tells us to ponder the things that break our heart and wait for the right time to reveal the picture to others. Sometimes without the vision it is hard to see the process of getting there.
Prayer: Lord, show me the vision and pictures of the things you want me to do. Let me know your plans for me in color. Don’t hide your plans from me but allow me to be wise enough to implement your plans because of your desire, not mine.
