Leadership Lessons From Nehemiah In Times Of Urban Conflict

We find ourselves in times of great turmoil and unrest in the UK. The causes too complex to be over simplified along lines of right and left if we are not going to see them intensify in other ways but whenever this occurs (as it seems to in various shapes every ten years or so) my own reflection as an ex riot squad officer is that the police get stuck in the middle while politicians make various pronouncements as our streets, towns and cities once again become scenes of violence, disorder and disruption.

How should we respond to such challenges? 

I’m now a church leader so I ask what can and should the church do? 

I have felt drawn to the Book of Nehemiah for guidance in these days. Even in the first two chapters we see a powerful example of how to act with faith, wisdom, and courage when it seems the city is under siege from within. 

Nehemiah’s response to the crisis around 445BC in Jerusalem provides timeless lessons for us today. 

This man was not a priest or a prophet, but he recognised the urgent need of the hour, heard God’s heart, saw the vision, laid out a strategy and galvanised others to do what looked impossible, despite strong opposition, in record time! 

How did it happen? 

1. Information: Brokenness and Burden

Nehemiah 1:

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah was in a comfortable place, he had a cushy job, far removed from the problem of the residents who had gone back to live in the city of Jerusalem. But when he heard the information from his relative about the suffering of the people in the city of Jerusalem his heart was broken. 

The city was in rubble and ruins. Their walls were broken down, which meant the remnant of people there had no protection and could be robbed by raiders and enemies surrounding them any time they tried to get back to normal. 

Though he was personally living in luxury, safe and secure, God spoke into Nehemiah’s heart as he heard the report and rather than just scroll through onto the next news item he thought a dangerous thought, ‘What must life be like for them?’ That’s the empathy question. Then as it hit him, he hit the floor and started to weep! 

They used to call this ‘getting a burden from God.’ 

Who or what do you have a burden for? 

What need or opportunity is it God is calling you to? 

Don’t just do something – sit there. And start to consider. 

Nehemiah sat down. 

The information was internalised. 

That started the first step of transformation – he stopped what he was doing and internalised what he heard. He owned it, deeply. 

He didn’t just distract himself, or anaesthetise what he was feeling about what he heard. He wept. His own heart was changed and he responded with deep empathy, mourning the plight of the people. This is the only way we will ever see the world really change, when we let God change our hearts first rather than scroll on to the next news item. 

What do we think when we see what’s going on in our nation? 

Do we open our hearts to the pain and struggles of those around us? 

Rioting and looting and racism are always wrong and evil, but urban unrest is rooted in deep-seated issues and real or perceived injustices. If we are going to see any real healing and hope we have to think, listen, seek first to understand, and respond with compassion. 

As we consider the information about a problem in the world we will only change it when we let it change us, when we combine tears with prayers for our communities.

2. Intercession: Confession and Call

Nehemiah 1:5 –7,11 

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 before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

….Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah didn’t rush into action. He turned to God in prolonged prayer day and night with intense fasting. He confessed his own indifference, his coldness of heart up to this point in his life. He owned up rather than try to excuse or sugar coat sin, he said it like it was as he talked with the Lord.

He recognised the consequences of rebellion that had led them into exile in the first place and turned in repentance for his own sins and those of the rest of God’s people that had led to this disaster happening on their watch. God’s laws had been broken, judgement had fallen, the enemies were mocking, society was crumbling as the walls graphically portrayed. What had once blocked out the enemy was gone and everyone was now wide open. 

But something started to happen as he talked to the Lord about the problem. 

The Lord talks back. He has promised to give grace to the humble and wisdom to those who ask for it. 

When we share a problem, the Lord shares solutions. 

Nehemiah said “I was cupbearer to the king.” That’s not a qualification for the work he was about to embark upon really! But the call came to him anyway, God started to speak to a butler – about how to become a builder. 

The call – it’s always this – offer yourself. 

For Nehemiah this meant he had to do what he had not done before, if he would be willing to be part of the answer to his own prayers. 

To become who God says he was and do what God said he could do. 

When the Lord says, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for me?’ 

What do we say? 

HERE AM I! SEND ME! 

3. INITIATION: Planning and Action 

Nehemiah 2: 4-8 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, 

“If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Then the king…asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. 

Having first prayed to the King of kings, Nehemiah was ready approached Artaxerxes with a well-thought-out plan for permission, protection and provision. 

He requested 3 years off, letters of safe passage and requisitions authority for the resources needed for rebuilding. He was going to need favour! This morning in Ecclesiastes 2 I read that God stores up wealth for his righteous purposes, Proverbs 13:22 says something similar.

It seems to me as we look at the problems the nation is facing right now, the new government is at a loss what to do as was the previous one about supposedly levelling up, immigration and cultural integration. Its actions and reactions however well intentioned reactions may make the matter worse not better. The church can pray for favour and even finance if we come up with solutions to their problems rather than just criticism for their ineffectiveness.  

Many of our government-funded systems are struggling so much they are consistently failing the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people of all kinds of ethnicities and social and demographic background. We hear promises but don’t seem to see policies that work to really improve people’s lives.

I believe God is calling for a radical reset where Christians and churches can once again and more and more be the hope bringers that speak about biblical values in relevant ways, unite communities, empower change, starting movements that are more imaginative, less bureaucratic to pray and plan and work toward real transformation of society as it has so often done in its history. 

We must not allow ourselves to be sidelined into irrelevance when the need and opportunity is so great, but hear and respond to the call when it comes and move into action in our generation. 

Florence Nightingale left her comfort zone of a wealthy family behind to begin modern nursing – she said, “God called me in the morning and said would I do good for him alone, without reputation?’ 

Charles Dickens turned his pen into a weapon against poverty, debt and injustice, he said Christianity is to “always show that we love Him by humbly trying to do right.” 

Mary Prince was born into slavery and poverty in Bermuda, came to faith in Christ and came to London hoping to be freed. When that was refused she petitioned Parliament and wrote about the brutality she had witnessed and experienced, it had a huge impact. 

Jesse Boot saw that health care was only available for the rich, and decided to start a business based on affordable medicine. 

Thomas Cook wanted poor people to come out of the city centre smog and have holidays in healthy places. 

The Church founded the first schools for the poor, countless hospitals and orphanages.  

In the last few centuries Christians not only prayed and sung hymns, we have fought for prison reform, better social housing and innumerable charities including Oxfam, Salvation Army, the Samaritans, the RSPCA, CAP, the hospice movement and support for the bereaved. Many football clubs – including Manchester City – trace their origins back to the Church engaging people and establishing sports teams. Foodbanks and lunch clubs in the day, Street Pastors at night, volunteer hours save billions a year. 

The church that is the true church of Christ can never retreat behind our own four walls when the walls of our society are crumbling and burning. We have to go to the burning gates with a greater fire!  

Is there anyone here today who’s seeing and feeling the problem, anyone with a burden not just a worry or a complaint – and maybe God’s speaking a solution to you? 

Is it time to initiate? To get started? 

Does it need money? God has what we need to get what he wants done. 

The plan doesn’t have to be perfect – but God can bring you before kings and queens. 

A burden, intercession, turns into a courageous strategy that will bring you before people who God has already prepared to give you what he needs so you can get the job done. Favour, before community leaders, local authorities and other organisations. 

Start making a BIGGER plan. Write out how long it may take, the resources it needs, the permission and provisions only come for those with the vision to make it happen. Then take a step of courageous action. 

We change nothing if we just hear the Information. 

But when it leads to intercession, and initiation – taking that first scary step in the direction of a solution, then we can’t just stay, we have to go – because God’s plan of redemption, including of course how rather than stay at a distance he stepped into the brokenness of this world himself 2000  years ago always involves 

4. INCARNATION: Embody the Solution

Nehemiah 2:11-13, 17 

I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire….

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Nehemiah couldn’t just work from home. He started where he was, but then he actually had to go. He went to those broken walls, where he could smell the fires and the fear and see the damage. 

But because he was God’s called leader, he didn’t just lament the problems because he didn’t just see the walls broken down – he saw them rebuilt and the gates set in place – where? 

In his mind. He saw an invisible solution and determined to see it visible. 

There’s a wall – here, 20 feet high! 

There’s a new gate – with strong oak bars in place – here

Before anything can ever be built or rebuilt, someone first has to see it done – by faith. Anyone can see a problem. Everyone could see ‘the trouble they were in.’ 

That was obvious! 

But someone has to speak hope and a future! 

Can you see – by faith – a society where politicians lead with integrity, where the poor are cared for, where the justice system is fair, where journalists report without bias and artists create in a way that lifts everyone higher? Could our nation be a beacon where, the lonely are set in families and in community so everyone together creates a culture that benefits us all.

As followers of Jesus, we’re invited to see this and draw together with others to be part of it. What’s wrong the Lord wants to use you to put right? What skills or influence has the Lord given you to use? 

Nehemiah showed great wisdom in who he talked to and who he didn’t share the plan and the problem with didn’t he? He assessed the situation discreetly. He didn’t broadcast his dream, thoughts and plans with people who would oppose them, and there would be plenty of opposition along the way. Not everyone was going to like it, especially the devil! 

He went to people who would feel like he felt. Those who might be willing to work – and work together with him. Because Nehemiah’s story is not of how he as an amazing leader rebuilt the walls, but how he got together a group, a community, that cared enough to do it. To make a difference where God had put them for the good of all. 

They couldn’t just dream about it, pray about it, plan for it or talk about the vision, they had to embody it – and do the work! Pick up a trowel and a sword! 

The walls had been nothing but ruins for decades, waiting for someone to step up to them. He spoke about how God was calling them, now – how he was providing for all this. 

He inspired those hurting and confused people they could become a team, who he went on to organise to get started on that daunting task to rebuild and restore the city – one person at a time, one brick at a time, until it was done. 

The walls stood tall and firm again – in just 52 days! 

Because he said, “If anyone’s going to do this – I’d better do it!’ 

Then he told them, “If anyone else is going to do this – let’s get to it!’ 

And they said “LET’S DO IT!” 

So let’s sum up, whatever the broken walls are, when the gates are blaze, the people hurting  – the path to restore and rebuild is always the same.

Where are you right now – and what’s your next step? 

• INFORMATION – Get a ‘burden’
• INTERCESSION – Pray and fast 
• INITIATION – Get started where you are 
• INCARNATION – Go where he sends you!