PLANNING TO SUCCEED
MEMORY VERSE:
Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach (Neh 2:17; NKJV)
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MESSAGE:
Beginning of the year is the best time to plan. It is said that failure to plan is planning to fail. And nobody wants to fail in life. To plan is to make detailed arrangement for something you want to do in the future. What do you want to achieve in 2021?
In our devotional, we shall use Nehemiah as a study. He is known for visionary leadership and for good planning. His leadership was formed by a God-induced burden for the city of Jerusalem and the people within it. The Bible says, "..... when I heard these words that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven (1:4). He determined to rebuild the broken walls of the city of his forefathers.
Nehemiah included people in his planning. He involved them in his vision. He said, "You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the walls of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach" (v17). The people responded to his vision and plan to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem. With one voice they declared, "Let us rise up and build", Then they set their hands to this good works (v18).
Every vision or plan will meet with opposition. Nehemiah applied four methods in handling opposition.
He prayed: Prayer can be defined as a dialogue between God and people, especially His covenant partners. Nehemiah commenced his work with prayers (1:4-11; 2:4). The people responded to Nehemiah's call to prayers (4:4-5).
He applied courage, persistence and watchfulness (4:15-23). He was not discouraged by enemies' threat (4:7-9). Courage is not the absence of fear.
He took practical steps to meet the need of the hour (4:10-14). He positioned people at strategic places against enemies' attacks (v13).
He overcame opposition by commitment to victory (4:15-23)
Beloved, you will succeed this year! Apply prayers, courage, persistence and commitment to your plans. The God who helped Nehemiah to succeed will give you victory.
Present your plans before the Lord.