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Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

As we approach the topic of prayer, let’s begin with an assessment. Carefully consider the following five questions...but before you do, make a commitment. Commit to telling yourself the honest truth, no matter how uncomfortable it feels. Unless you reveal them, no one will ever know your answers except the Lord.

“You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6)

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. (Psalm 119:1)

When we get beneath surface facts and start to traffic in the realm of in-depth truth, two things usually happen: we walk in greater obedience, and we discover genuine happiness. The leaders in Nehemiah’s day experienced both.

They found written in the Law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. (Nehemiah 8:14 NASB)

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (Proverbs 9:10)

Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe so that they might gain insight into the words of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:13 NASB)

“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

After an oral reading from the book of the Law, those gifted in its truths exposited the text to make the meaning clear. But why did they need to translate the Scripture? These people were Jews by birth, but not by tongue or culture. Having been reared in a Persian environment, naturally they brought it with them. The words read to them were from the Hebrew Bible. They heard a Hebrew Bible through Persian ears. There was a communication breakdown.

They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. (Nehemiah 8:8)

Tucked away in the old book of Nehemiah is the first recorded revival. And of all places, the revival occurred at the Water Gate. According to Nehemiah 8:1, “All the people gathered as one person at the square which was in front of the Water Gate” (NASB). This would be the setting of the most exciting experience since the completion of the wall.

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. (Nehemiah 6:9)

Sanballat’s weapon of choice was rumour, which has at least two distinctive characteristics. First, a source is never declared. Note the vague reference, “It is reported among the nations” (Nehemiah 6:6 NASB). This lends an air of credence to both the story and the storyteller. It suggests that the story is widely reported and, therefore, credible.

“I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)

If you are a leader, you spend a lot of your time either on the top or on the bottom. You’re either hero or villain; respected or reviled. Rarely anything between those extremes. People in leadership must live on the yo-yo of public opinion: the target for cheap shots on the bottom, the object of great admiration on the upside. It’s when we are under the verbal attack of the intimidating public that we show our true colours.

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

A good leader does not stop with rebuke. Nehemiah took steps to correct problems—steps we should take first as leaders when we are wrong and steps we should require of those in our organization when they blow it.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.(Proverbs 29:2)