Abraham Lincoln encouraged individuals through homespun stories and humor. General George Patton inspired his troops with dogged speeches challenging courage. Ronald Reagan prompted loyalty and teamwork with an engaging personality and accessible spirit. All three individuals live on in history as successful leaders and motivators. Nehemiah was such a man.

Opportunities Arise with Prayer
The lesson begins when Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, seeks permission to go to Jerusalem to complete the restoration of the city (Nehemiah 2:5). However, this moment in time occurred only after four months of prayer and fasting. God’s man prepared for that incredible opportunity well in advance of God’s timing.

Long ago, I learned a valuable lesson. When I pray, coincidences happen; when I don’t, they don’t. I pray for an opportunity to speak to a neighbor about the Lord, or wisdom in dealing with a hurting friend, or an answer to a difficult personal problem. In God’s timing the answers come, but I must seize the moment and pursue his path of completion. Nehemiah offered a short, under-his-breath prayer when his moment arrived before the king, but the foundation of that opportunity was laid months before. Prepared and prayed up, he made his request and received a green-light response.

Opposition to God’s Work Is Ever Present
Upon arriving in the holy city, Nehemiah spent three days on a secret reconnaisance mission to assess, evaluate, and plan. His discreet nighttime operations found only remnants of protective walls and destroyed gates. In other words, Jerusalem’s residents were a humiliated and disgraced people who could not defend themselves.

His homework complete, Nehemiah assembled the locals and challenged, “Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem” (v. 17)! Recognizing God’s hand in their distinguished visitor, the people rallied behind Nehemiah and immediately began the work. Unfortunately, every time God’s people seek to obey his will, Satan sends opposition. Perhaps due to envy, calloused hearts, or personal gain, three men stepped forward to taunt and ridicule Nehemiah. They stopped the rebuilding once before (Ezra 4), and now they attempt to do it again by using the same through intimidating tactics.

This ancient form of spiritual warfare continues today. A growing church enters a building program and the opposition cries, “Why do we have to change?” A minister seeks to initiate a new ministry and his rivals assert, “We’ve never done it that way before!” A unique opportunity for outreach presents itself, yet the challenge arises, “We tried that once years ago and it didn’t work.”

Nehemiah offers great lessons as we prepare for battle with our spiritual adversary: do your homework, bathe the effort in prayer, and affirm God’s direction before rallying his people. When opposition arises, and it always will, stand your ground and declare God’s protection.

Success Belongs to the Lord
Too many of us shrink under the burden of resistance, or attempt to avoid conflict altogether. Negativity and criticism cast shadows on the vision. Questions and accusations regarding motives diminish the commitment to take a stand. Fear replaces conviction and we often cower from the fight.

It is imperative when walking through the valley to remember success in all spiritual endeavors is dependent upon the Lord. The psalmist knew that: “I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame” (Psalm 44:6, 7). Paul knew it as well. He wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Nehemiah defended the action plan, affirmed his authority with royal documentation, and having stated his case, removed his adversaries from further consideration or participation in Jerusalem’s future. His path was now set. His work lay before him. His people, inspired and enthused, followed in his footsteps.

Coach Jim Valvano guided the North Carolina State University basketball team to the 1983 NCAA National Championship. Ten years later, he spoke from the stage at the 1993 ESPY awards, produced and broadcast by the ESPN network. Diagnosed with bone cancer, Valvano succumbed to the disease eight weeks later. During his now-famous speech, he passionately implored, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

The V Foundation, an organization created to find a cure for cancer, took those words as its motto and has since raised more than $80 million for medical research. It took one man with a passion for life to motivate others to give consistently and generously to change the lives of others on earth.

God can take one individual who possesses a passion for God’s will and word, and conquer a promised land, rebuild a city, birth a church, change the lives of others on earth, or alter the eternal destiny of millions of souls after this life is over. Our heavenly Father continues to call his children to stand in the gap and make a difference, to motivate others to follow in the footsteps of Christ.