Nehemiah's Vision

Do you have a vision for what God wants you to do?

Vision is the ability to see what could be…

…To see things different and better than they currently are.

Goals and visions are similar yet different. They both look forward to the future and see things better than they currently are. The difference is that, goals you can accomplish; a vision can only be accomplished by God. In fact, He is the one who gives it to you. 

God must be actively involved in achieving the vision. You don’t have the power to accomplish it on your own...  

God is the one who gave Nehemiah the vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. God is the one who aided Nehemiah in accomplishing the vision He gave... 

But it still required a response from Nehemiah - 

Look at how Nehemiah responded to God as God gave this vision in chapter 1:

(Nehemiah 1:1-11)

During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, ² Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. ³ They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.”

Nehemiah’s Prayer

⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵ I said,

Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands, ⁶ let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear Your servant’s prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. ⁷ We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses. ⁸ Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. ⁹ But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell.” ¹⁰ They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and strong hand. ¹¹ Please, Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, and have compassion on him in the presence of this man.

At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.

How did Nehemiah respond? 

Nehemiah demonstrated a passion for his people... 
He prayed... He recognized God for who He is...
He repented of sins... He reminded God of His promises...
He was specific in his request... He didn't let his job or status hinder him...

How are you going to respond to God today? What is hindering your vision for God today?