The Canvas of Tomorrow Sample

Nehemiah may have lived a comfortable life as the cupbearer in King Artaxerxes’s court, but he was a phenomenal leader when God called him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He had a big vision, he had a clear organization, and he spoke powerfully to every segment of the community, friend and foe alike. We’ve seen how he inspired the workmen, how he confronted their two biggest opponents, and how he rebuked the Jewish elite who tried to take advantage of the situation so that they could profit from it.

When the wall was completed, Nehemiah didn’t go on television to brag about his accomplishments, and he didn’t post pictures of himself on social media. He didn’t try to dominate every news outlet the way many leaders do today. Instead, he pointed the people to the true source of their strength and gave glory to God. Imagine being one of the people in this scene. God had worked wonders among you. You’d been on the wall for more than seven weeks, working hard and carrying a sword. You often wondered if the job could be completed, and Nehemiah had assured you that God was in it. Now, weeks after the last stone was put in place, he called everyone to gather together for a special service:

Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square in front of the Water Gate, and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. . . .And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. —Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6

Those who read the Scriptures “read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (v. 8). In other words, they preached the Word and applied it to their lives! The preaching must have been Spirit-anointed because people were deeply moved. Nehemiah needed to step up and tell the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (vv. 9-10). 

Notice that Nehemiah didn’t issue a proclamation on his first day in Jerusalem. He didn’t have someone read the Scriptures, and no one preached. His first actions were a careful inspection of the broken walls and burned gates, and then he called people to pick up their trowels, shovels, and hammers and join him in the work. In those fifty-two days, Nehemiah earned their respect, earned their trust, and earned the right to be heard. Working side by side with the city's people and getting his hands as dirty as theirs spoke more loudly than words.

Just walk and pray. Walk once, twice, or three times a week. Don’t stop walking, and don’t stop praying. You’ll see old walls of suspicion come down and a new wall of love erected. It’ll bring joy to your neighbors to know that their families and community are covered in prayer. It will take time, but it’s an investment in the identity, dignity, and strength of your community. Our goal was not to see people go to jail or to be imprisoned. Our heart mission is to see people come to know the Lord Jesus and see His plan for their lives. God has a canvas with their name on it.