“YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE”

Blog: Max Dawson
July 3, 2017
And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”

Nehemiah is the great leader who rebuilt the walls of the city of Jerusalem. He learned of the terrible condition of the city from some of his brethren who had come from Judah (). He was determined to do something about the condition of the city–even though he currently lived hundreds of miles away.
Men are often limited in what they accomplish in God’s kingdom because they do not see what might be accomplished. They try to find reasons why something can’t be done, rather than what can be.
Have you ever heard the line that says, “You can’t get there from here”? It is often said as a joke, but when it comes to God’s work, a lot of folks take that line far beyond a joke. They like to talk about what can’t be done, what we cannot achieve. Nehemiah was not like that. He believed “You can get there from here.”
So, all the way from Persia, he was determined to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city. And, build he did! According to , the work of rebuilding the walls and gates of Jerusalem was completed in only 52 days!
It is amazing what a leader might accomplish if he believes that God is with him in his work. Nehemiah believed that the good hand of God was upon him as he worked to rebuild the walls ().
THE FINAL WORD
Nehemiah was a leader who believed in the success of God’s work. Leadership requires sight. Nehemiah could see what others did not see. Before he ever left Persia he could envision his task. This was a man with vision–not a miraculous vision from God–but a vision of what should be done and what could be done. Nehemiah saw what others did not see.
1. A Powerful Vision. He believed he could get the job done. He believed “he could get there from here.” His confidence in God and believing in His help put power in his plan to rebuild the wall.
2. A Distant Vision. He could see afar off. He saw Jerusalem’s place in the plan of God. He knew the importance of this city to the future of God’s cause. He had the foresight to look ahead. That’s what leaders do. Is that what you do?
3. A Bigger Vision. He saw
more
than others. Maybe others said, “What a shame the wall isn’t built!”–but did nothing. God is looking for those who see the possibilities of what can be done in His kingdom–and then act! Is that you?
4. An Early Vision. He saw
before others. Nehemiah convinced others to work with him in rebuilding the wall. They also saw–but only after Nehemiah showed them they could do it. Can you show others the way in God’s work?
Blessings to you, my faithful friends,
–Max