Nehemiah’s call to leadership of Jerusalem’s restoration was discovered in the burden he had for the testimony of the people of God. Israel had been brought into captivity and Jerusalem was made desolate during the course of their captivity. He knew why the nation of Israel was in the condition it was in. The undealt with sin of God’s people weighed heavy on Nehemiah’s heart and conscience.  In his intercessory prayer, he knew that he had some responsibility of this unresolved sin to God and sought for mercy along with forgiveness from God for himself and the sin of God’s people. It was his conviction to right the wrong of sin that caused him to have a heavy burden to make a difference in and change the testimony of God’s people. He had become the King’s cupbearer, so life for him was quite comfortable. yet he and his people remained in bondage, not free, enslaved because of the choices they had made. What God had given them was no longer satisfactory to their appetite for the things of the world that lay within their reach. So they chose disrespect, disregard and disobedience towards the God of their salvation.  Nehemiah perceived that this kind of unresolved sin towards God resulted in reproach

A burden alone does not secure a calling. God often seeks a time of proving, the opportunity of participation and the ongoing result of production in confirmation of that burden and its leadership responsibilities. God confirmed Nehemiah’s leadership qualities in his burden in these three ways. First, he proved his willingness to give up his comfort zone, even to the point of risking his own  life! Second, he allowed Nehemiah to display his committment through participation in careful consideration of the work that lie ahead. Finally, Nehemiah seized the opportunity to share his burden and vision with others who had the willingness to work for God and accomplish the production of fulfillment of the burden together!  A burden is something one prepares to carry, handles responsibly, and produces fruit for the honor and glory of God. A burden from the Lord becomes a way of being, living and fulfilling life. Nehemiah had to go through some changes to accomplish this.

Nehemiah was not an Architect. Nor was he a General Contractor. He was not a military strategist either. Yet it seems that the nature of the task at hand would require all three professions to effectively accomplish this work! This intimidating truth did not dissuade  him from the daunting task. He took it personally. He surveyed the damage. He examined what needed to be repaired. He knew what must be built. He realized the value of self assessment, reparation and rebuilding that a burden of the Lord requires to be effectively carried out! What we see thus far is that once a burden of the Lord is realized, it initially requires is a carrier of that burden be willing to position himself or herself where ever and how ever God requires without disruptive reservation! God always prepares others to help in His burdens! I find it interesting that the walls, gates and doors had to repared before any internal structures could be reconstructed. The restoration of Jerusalem, which means the apple of God’s eye, began with repairing the structure of what kept things in an d out, the walls, and what allowed things in and out, the doors and gates. Where are YOU at in your burden from the Lord? Does any of this strike a chord?