The Character of a Leader: Nehemiah 1

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

As we continue to discuss the character traits of good, godly leaders, for the next several messages we will look at Nehemiah.  I find this Old Testament book (and the man for whom it is named) a fantastic study in leadership.  

Today’s leadership qualities are humility, trustworthiness, courage, and boldness.  

In chapter 1, verses 4-6 we read.  “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying... I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.””

Nehemiah sets the example for us.  He mourned, fasted, and prayed to God.  He acknowledged God’s greatness and awesomeness.  His posture and petition before God is one of humility and dependence.  

 At the conclusion of chapter 1, Nehemiah shares his resume, his CV or his credentials.  “I was cupbearer to the king.”  While this may seem to be an insignificant role to us, this position required great trustworthiness.  One of the cupbearer’s duties was to choose and taste the king’s wine to make certain it was not poisoned.  Therefore, Nehemiah had the unreserved confidence of King Artaxerxes.  He was a trustworthy man; the king’s life was in the hands of Nehemiah.  

Next, we see that Nehemiah was a man of courage.  We read in 2:2b-3, “I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”” There are times when godly leaders must acknowledge their fears, give them to the Lord, and entrust themselves to God’s care and protection.  In spite of – or in the midst of – fear, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must move forward. 

Lastly, Nehemiah did move forward with boldness.  We continue the story in 2:4b-5. “Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”  Notice that Nehemiah’s first response was to pray.  He then made a bold request of the king. 

Humility, trustworthiness, courage, and boldness are character traits of Nehemiah that are worthy of our replication.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.