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He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29–31)

I know of few afflictions more persistent than discouragement. It’s like a debilitating disease. Rare is the person who can resist or overcome it alone.

We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. (Nehemiah 4:21)

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)

They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked. (Nehemiah 2:18–19)

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.” (Isaiah 49:15–16)

As we turn to look in detail at the characteristics of Nehemiah’s leadership, consider a passage from Isaiah:

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaiah 49:16 NASB)

After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. (Nehemiah 2:13)

It is not in the rush and hurry of activity that a person gains the respect of those around him; it is what he does when he is all alone. Someone once aptly penned, “Character is what you are when nobody’s looking.”

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Do you know that God honours order and organization? Can you imagine what had previously transpired in Nehemiah’s mind in order for him to provide an immediate, on-the-spot answer? Nehemiah had a plan. You see, he had been doing more than praying for four months. He had been planning (Nehemiah 2:7–8). That in itself was an exercise in faith.

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. (Proverbs 21:1)

There are few areas of life in which we live or work that do not come ready-equipped with a superior—a boss or other authority figure. It is our task to develop qualities of leadership germinating within ourselves while still being accountable to these superiors in our individual spheres of influence. That isn’t easy! Leaders are usually better at leading than being led.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Prayer is primary—but not theoretical prayer. Prayer that gets the job done includes the conviction, “I’m available, Lord—ready and willing.”

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel.” (Nehemiah 1:5–6)

Nehemiah, touched by the need of his people, “sat down and wept and mourned” and “was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4 NASB). In Nehemiah 1:4–11, I find four very significant factors that characterize the lives of competent, spiritual leaders.