Leadership Principles From Nehemiah – 1

Leaders Have a Sense of Mission (Nehemiah 1:5).

ALMOST by definition, leaders have an end to which they are headed. This sense of mission helps to guide their decisions and determine their strategy.

Nehemiah’s mission grew out of his knowledge of the Law and his awareness that the destruction of Jerusalem had come about through God’s judgment of his people’s sins (Nehemiah 1:5–8). At the same time, he knew that God was willing to forgive their sins and restore them to the land (Nehemiah 1:9). Therefore Nehemiah determined that he would see to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in accordance with the Lord’s promises, and he began to devise a strategy toward that end (Nehemiah 1:10-11).

Nehemiah did not dream up a sense of mission out of his own agenda or self-interest. He responded to the news of Jerusalem’s plight with tears, prayer, fasting, humility, and seeking the Lord’s will (Nehemiah 1:4). As he prepared to go before the king, he probably did not know exactly what he should say or do, only that he needed to go to Jerusalem. Nor could he have known all that he would encounter once he arrived at the ruined city. Nevertheless, convinced that God wanted the Holy City to be revived, Nehemiah stepped forward as a change agent, and his leadership proved strategic.

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.