Studies in Nehemiah: Revival Amidst the Rubble
VII: Mission Accomplished (Nehemiah 6-8)
By Senior Pastor Dr Daniel Ho
A. INTRODUCTION
Nehemiah has always been the focus in the book of Nehemiah, whom God used to sparked revival in the
entire city and nation of Israel. Nehemiah had brought change and transformation. He influenced,
impacted, and transformed the whole city of Jerusalem. Just as one man of God was able to do all these,
therefore, we should not underestimate ourselves, believing that God will use us accordingly.
To do that, one must become a man or woman of prayer. Instead of praying
when we are in trouble or when we are in need, prayer should be a natural
and normal part of church life and of our life as a Christian. Nehemiah was a
man of prayer right from the beginning to the end. He accomplished missions
God had called him to. Through him, we can tell that God really had His hand
upon Nehemiah in a powerful way.
Therefore, in order to accomplish God’s mission for us, we must breathe prayer, dream prayer, and walk
prayer! It is also important that we do not let our guards down through isolation, insinuation and
intimidation.
B. FOUR
WAYS HOW
GOD
USED
NEHEMIAH
TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK
To accomplish God's work Nehemiah needs:
1. WISDOM
AND
DISCERNMENT (NEHEMIAH 6:1-4; JAMES 1:5; 3:13-18)
When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of
our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—
though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat
and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of
the villages on the plain of Ono.”But they were scheming to harm me; so
I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great
project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it
and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and
each time I gave them the same answer. (v. 1-4)
Sanballat and his team were trying hard to put Nehemiah in a difficult spot through plans and plots to trap
him. We must learn from Nehemiah, to be aware of the tactics of the enemy. There were also lies,
allegations, and distortions toward him (v 5-8):
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 1 of 9
Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an
unsealed letter in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—
that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover,
according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to
make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get
back to the king; so come, let us confer together.” I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are
saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”
The situation above is a good reflection of a similar scenario that took place in DUMC last year when
Dream Centre was raided. DUMC came out with a press statement, and Pastor Daniel made a few
statements, in which one of them is directly related to the passage above:
“Please know that in the coming days, there will be more allegations, distortions, and lies about us, about
Dream Centre, or about me. But I have chosen not to respond to any of these.”
If Pastor Daniel had responded, there would have been more allegations and lies insinuated. The devil
wants us to spend all time responding to all these, the same tactics repeated over and over again, as seen
in Nehemiah.
There is also deception and intimidation in the tactics of the devil (v. 10-13):
One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at
his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple
doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” But I said, “Should
a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” I
realised that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and
Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing
this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.
From the passage above, we can tell that the devil is always trying to trap, if not discredit the people of
God. To know the plans of the enemy, we need wisdom and discernment, which the Bible gives us freely
through these wonderful promises:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously
to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5);
and
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his
good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But
if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not
boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down
from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you
have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil
practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-18)
What amazing wisdom from heaven that God wants to impart to all of us!
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 2 of 9
2. LOOK
TO
GOD
AT ALL TIMES
(NEHEMIAH 6:9,15-16 ; ACTS 4:19, 29-31)
Nehemiah always looked to God in all situations, as shown in the verses below from Nehemiah 6:
9
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will
not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”; and
15
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies
heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they
realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
Learning from Nehemiah, we should, at all times and in all things, be
dependent on God, not looking to ourselves or anything else, but looking to
God at the end of it all. This is also exemplified through Peter and John’s
reaction when they were arrested for preaching the Good News to all people in
Jerusalem:
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than
God. (Acts 4:19)
Upon release (the religious authority did not know what to do with them) they came and prayed together
with other believers, and the passage below is part of the prayer (Acts 4:29-31):
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great
boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the
name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was
shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Amidst the intimidation, pressure, and threats of all kinds, Peter and John looked to God because they
know that when they depend upon God, God’s work will be done in God’s way, and will bring forth godly
results. With God, all things become possible.
It is an amazingly enormous privilege for us as God’s people that we can always look to God and depend
on Him for all things at all times. Pastor Daniel shared a testimony of a new Christian from the corporate
world who found strength of God available to him at all times. He wished he knew Christ sooner.
3. PUT THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN
9:10; 10:9; 11:3; 12:22)
THE RIGHT PLACE
(NEHEMIAH 7:1-3 ; PROVERBS
After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and
the Levites were appointed. I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along
with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God
more than most men do. (Nehemiah 7:1-2)
Similar to Nehemiah’s situation of appointing the right people in the right
place, today’s corporations ought to do the very same thing. The top
leadership level is for people of integrity, who are trustworthy and Godfearing.
Integrity comes from the root word “integer”. Integer in Mathematics means
a whole number, a digit that cannot be divided (e.g. “1”, “3”, “5”, etc.). A
person of integrity is one where there is wholeness in him or her, where there are no lies or deceits in
that person. Where there is integrity, there is truth; and where there is truth, there is trust. The same
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 3 of 9
thing applies to people who fear God. When there is the fear of God, a person can be trusted even when
no one is looking because “God is watching”.
There are tremendous benefits in fearing God as illustrated in the book of Proverbs:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Proverbs 9:10)
When there is fear of God, we get wisdom, discernment and understanding. Hence God-fearing is the
most important characteristic we should look for in a person. One does not have to be a Christian to be
God-fearing, therefore we should pray for people around us especially our government, that there is the
fear of God in every heart, so that they will be very careful in all the things that they do.
Other truths about leaders that are upright and of integrity are illustrated in the verses below:
The man of integrity walks securely; but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
(Proverbs 10:9)
It is a matter of time! When there are deceits and lies in us, it is only a matter of time that we will be
found out.
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
(Proverbs 11:3)
The LORD detests lying lips,
but he delights in men who are truthful.
(Proverbs 12:22)
When there is truth, there is trust. Leaders with the above traits are sought for because they are able to
drive revival that they are aware and conscious of. In order to make sure that revival carries on, Nehemiah
appointed God-fearing men to make wise decisions and good judgments. Similarly, we are looking for the
same type of people in building the kingdom of God.
Nations come and gone, kingdoms rise and fall, but the church of Christ marches on.
4. TO MAKE WORSHIP AND THE WORD CENTRAL IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
(NEHEMIAH 8:5,6; PSALM 84:1-2; ACTS 6:3,4; PSALM 119:9, 28, 45, 80)
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he
opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their
hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their
faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:5-6)
Worship is crucial. It will always correct our heart, intention and devotion.
When we worship God, it corrects our vision of life and purpose for living.
Worship is something that is of inward reality, and will always be expressed
outwardly. Is your heart there when you worship? In heaven, we will
worship forever and ever. Therefore, if you do not enjoy worship here on
earth (may God have mercy on you), heaven may seem to be an eternal
‘punishment’.
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 4 of 9
Therefore, we must learn to worship and to be in the presence of God, learning to enjoy God! Worship is
one way God tunes our hearts for heaven. Sometimes we may find ourselves reluctant to worship Him
due to challenges in life that we face. We need to remember that worship is a choice, as the psalmist said
(Psalm 42:5):
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet
praise him, my Savior and my God.”
When we are disturbed or downcast, when we do not feel like worshipping God, we should open our lips
and sing praises to Him! As we do these, slowly we will begin to ride on the crest of God’s wave. Worship
is a choice that one can make. Let us make the right choice and allow God to tune our hearts. Through
worship, we are lifting up His name and enabling us to focus on God. When our focus is right on God, our
hearts are tuned then we will know that God is in control. Nothing can disrupt us. So come on time, if not
early, for worship during the weekend celebration and in cell meetings too.
As much as Worship helps us to focus, the Word is there to guide us along and to
direct us, so that we will walk right with God. The Word of God is always so important
and crucial to all believers, even in the midst of problems. For example, during the
early days, the Greek-speaking believers complained about the inequality of
treatment in food distribution to their widows. When the news was brought to the
apostles, they responded by saying:
“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We
will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the
word.” (Acts 6:3-4)
The Word will guide us in all situations at all times.
What does the Bible has to say about the Word of God? (Psalm 119)
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
(Psalm 119:9)
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
(Psalm 119:28)
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
(Psalm 119:45)
May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
(Psalm 119:80)
Amidst all difficulties, pressures, and temptations of all kinds we face in life, the Word of God is always
there to strengthen us, and to keep us pure (Psalm 119:9). When we live rightly and properly, we will find
that we are living under God’s grace. The Word also prevent us from being put to shame (v80), preserve
and strengthen us (v28), and enable us to walk in freedom (v45). When we put our trust in the Word of
God, it will help to lead, to guide, and to direct us.
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 5 of 9
The Word of God is vital and crucial, and we should make that the primary focus of our life besides that of
worship. We must value His Word. The preaching of the Word of God must never be devalued. Pastor
Daniel prayed that by God’s grace that we will be faithful in preaching the Word of God at all times,
because it is the Word of God that will always guide and direct us, protect us, strengthen us, offer us
freedom, and shapes the community for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Daniel quoted the Apostle Paul in Acts 19 as an example. Having
preached in Ephesus for two years within the confines of a building (lecture
hall of Tyrannus), his preaching had caused all the Jews and Greeks who lived in
the province of Asia to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10). Such event had
greatly threatened the silversmiths of the time, who made idols to earn a
living (v. 23). Similarly, we, as God’s people, are able to influence other
people through the Word of God. When we do this, God will break out again
and again, causing revival to take place. The churches of Jesus Christ will be
made strong and this will enable us to make a difference to our land. As a
result, the work of God will be carried out and accomplished.
CONCLUSION
Wisdom and Discernment - If we want to do the work of God in order to fulfill His
design and purpose, we need real wisdom and discernment so that we will
understand the intention of human hearts.
Picture: Goddess
Artemis, idol worshipped
by the people in
Ephesus. They claimed
the idol to have fallen
from heaven (Acts
19:35).
Look to God at all times - Always be dependent upon God who wants to help us in every step of the way in
building the Body of Christ. We need to build a God-dependent attitude in us by first becoming a man or
woman of prayer! Pray by intention rather than needs or problems.
Put the right people in the right place – Be people who will be in the right places. Be people who fear God,
who walk right with God, and people of integrity.
To make Worship and the Word central in the life of the Church - Putting Worship and the Word central
will enable the work of God to be carried out from strength to strength.
Sermon summary contributed by: Chrisandra Wong
Journaling and Prayer Points contributed by: Felicia Chang
* Weekly Reflection *
"Prayer does not change the purpose of God.
But prayer does change the action of God."
~ Chuck Smith ~
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 6 of 9
Scripture:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12)
Observation:
In this scripture, Apostle Paul reminds us about the power of God’s Word. He tells us that the
Word is alive and active. The Living Word helps us to live right with God. It gives children of God
instructions and reminders as to live life pleasing to God. It warns us about the real danger of
demonic forces. It shows us how to defeat the evil one. This verse also reminds us that the
Word is sharper than any double-edged sword and the Holy Spirit convicts our heart whenever
we grieve our holy God.
Application:
I will continue to learn about the Word. I will continue to live a life pleasing to God. In every
situation that I face, I will seek His guidance through prayers and His Word.
Response:
My Lord God, thank You for Your Living Word. Your Word guides me in all that I do. Not only will
I find words of encouragement whenever I am sad, it also gives me direction to live the kind of
life that you want me to live. The more I read Your Word, the more intimate I know You and be
awed by Your grace and loving kindness that You show to me, day by day. Thank You dear Lord
for this wonderful gift of life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Result:
The Word of God will become more real to me day by day as I choose not just to read His word
but to meditate on it, reflect upon the wisdom within and most importantly, apply it. As a
result, I can see the power of God at work through every activity I undertake and God’s glory is
shown through these.
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 7 of 9
SERMON: Mission Accomplished
Pray:
 We will continue to ask for heavenly wisdom and discernment so that we are able
to make good judgement in all of our decisions.
 To look to God at all times and to continue to depend on God in anything and
everything.
 Christians will have integrity in their life and be good living testimonies to those
around us and thus glorifying God.
 We will make worship and the Word central in our life.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your
word. (Psalm 119:9)
MINISTRIES
&
EVENTS:
Leaders’ Advance (30 August -2
September)
Pray:
 Preparation for those attending the Advance and to have open hearts and minds
when God’s word is shared.
 Everybody will be touched by the Holy Spirit and encounter God in a personal
way when they spend this time with Him.
 The Lord will reveal His divine plan for the church through Pastor Daniel and
anoint him when he shares with the leaders.
 Journey mercies as they travel to Kampar and for good weather.
 The protection of their loved ones when they are away.
 The Advance will refresh those who are tired and burnt out.
The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus
33:14)
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 8 of 9
MALAYSIA MY NATION:
Indigenous People Groups
The Indigenous People Groups in Malaysia are a vital part of this nation and are Malaysians as much as
you and me. We uphold them in prayer and their cause as they are very much our brothers and sisters
who live with us in this blessed land.
Pray:
 More Orang Asli in the peninsular and Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak will
encounter the Living God and give their lives to Jesus Christ.
 Protection against forced assimilation and oppression, and many to learn
about their rights to religious and economic freedom.
 The power of poverty will be broken and more children to receive education in
the remotest parts of Sabah and Sarawak.
 Christians and churches will speak up and advocate on behalf of these
people, and to stand up for the oppressed and the marginalised.
May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the
needy; may he crush the oppressor. (Psalm 72:4)
A TRANSFORMED WORLD: Wildfires in California
Two major wildfires have devastated many hectares of forests and destroyed homes and buildings in recent
weeks. This daily battle against the blazes involve over 8,000 firefighters who have fought against winds and
searing temperatures to prevent further devastation.
Pray:





The safety of firefighters as they battle these wildfires.
There will be order during the evacuation of townspeople near these blazes.
The basic need of the evacuees will be met by the authorities.
The wildfires will be contained as soon as possible.
God’s intervention in providing rain to these affected areas and for a miraculous
drop in temperature.
He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside. (Job 5:10)
Want to be emailed “The Leap Forward” and “ZES-T” regularly? Register by emailing to
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoo.com (our new email address!) or if you have a yahoo email, join via
DUMCWritingTeam@yahoogroup.com.
Page 9 of 9