So I went to Jerusalem
and was there three days.
THE STUDY:
Reading this short verse
we may see the superficial idea: he rested from the 2 month journey. But
looking a little deeper we can see something more. As a leader we need not to
only be concerned for those we are leading but for ourselves as well. Nehemiah
may have accomplished three things during these three days: rest for himself
and his group, planned his next step, and allowed himself to blend in to his
surroundings.
After his long difficult
journey, Nehemiah took time to rest; for leaders must take care of themselves
if they are going to be able to serve the Lord (Mark 6:31). He also took time
to get “the lay of the land” without arousing the concern of the enemy. A good
leader doesn’t rush into his work but patiently gathers the facts firsthand and
then plans his strategy (Prov. 18:13). We must be “wise as serpents” because
the enemy is always watching and waiting to attack.[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding the importance of rest. Rest for the body, mind and spirit. An athlete would call this time of rest “re-covery” time. A leader would call this time of rest “re-grouping” time. A person of faith would call this time “re-connecting” time.
APPLICATION:
Three days seems to be the running theme in
scripture: Jonah spends three days in the belly of a fish, Ezra rested for three
days, Jesus was resurrected in three days, and the list could go on. There
seems to be significance to “3 days!”
For the physical body, it allows the
muscles to heal. For the mind, it allows time to process. For the soul, we can
see by the examples of Jonah, Ezra, and Jesus it was a time of re-joining!
Today, we may be feeling tired, lost,
and isolated! The only one we can blame is ourselves. Jesus has always given us
examples of rest. So today, as you approach the holiday weekend get some rest:
for the body, mind and soul. Allow yourself some recovery time, some regrouping
time, and some reconnecting time.
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Determined.
“Be” Commentary Series (30). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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