Planning - ANB Week 4, Day 1 - 3.25.13

Week 4

Monday, March 25                                                                    Planning

Nehemiah 2.11-20

Nehemiah’s task was going to be one that required a lot of hard work. It makes little sense to dive right into work with out a proper plan of action. More so is the case when it is the work of God to be done. Such work must be the right work at the right time done in the right way. And that takes planning. Praying and trusting God in the work does not mean that proper research is not necessary. Here we find Nehemiah endeavoring to fully assess the situation before presenting his project to the officials and the people of Israel. Most importantly in his planning was the realization that what he was doing was appointed to him by God. He knew that he would face opposition, but his confidence remained in the divine direction he was given. He was aware that God had entrusted this project to him and that it was God who would give him the wisdom to see it accomplished. So, in effort to please God, Nehemiah wanted to be more than exact in his planning, so he set out to evaluate the work himself.

We notice as we read through the passage that Nehemiah did a thorough appraisal of the ruined walls that once surrounded Jerusalem. He inspected the foundations and plotted out the gate locations. We then see in verse 17 where Nehemiah took his plan of work to the people. While we are not given more than just a sentence of his statement to the people, we can be assured that he laid out the plan for them. He waited for the right time, perhaps to get a word from God about when this work was to begin. It is more than safe for us to assume that the reason Nehemiah had not said anything about what he was doing was because he wanted to operate at God’s discretion. It was not that he wanted to be secretive, but he understood the authority he was working under. So, at the right time he delivers his plan. Notice if you will that Nehemiah does not place the burden on anyone. He says, “See the trouble that we are in.” The task is just as much his as it is the people of Israel. Further, he is honest with the people about the situation. He stresses that it is a serious matter and of utmost importance for them all to address. And he also speaks of the hand of God once more. This is a subtle assurance to the people of Israel that God will help them with the wall just as he helped with the temple. The details, even to the point of delivery, were carefully planned.

We are in a similar state at Hopewell. We have our leadership assessing the situation we are in, covering the ground work for our future. The difference between us and Nehemiah is that God specifically told Nehemiah what he was to do. We are searching for God’s vision and plan for us. We must pray for our leadership that they would act accordingly to the plan that God has for us, whether that be building or restructuring, that we can have the confidence in their planning. It is so very important that we pray for the planning process, that all details are covered. See, when Nehemiah went to the extent in planning that he did, the people responded with an adamant and boisterous, “Let’s get to work.” When the details are covered in planning, the work is so much easier. As we all seek the face of God and search out His plan for our church and our lives, let us all approach with the attitude that we will all work in the details; that we will all be as emphatic and enthusiastic as the people of Israel when it comes time for the work to be done. This will include a great amount of flexibility on all parts as the planning process continues. But most importantly, we must pray for God’s work to be done, even in the planning stages. His work does not just happen to us, it happens through us and our earnest endeavors to fulfill His plan.

Prayer:

Lord, we know that You are planning something great for us. But, we must recognize that even planning requires our active participation. We were not planning anything great, but Your desires were for something different. Please bring us on board with Your plans. Do not let us be thrown off course, but unite us in prayer for our leaders as we seek to honor You.