Confidence in God – 13 January 2010

The third leadership principle we learn from Nehemiah is the need for an unshakeable confidence in God. 

Nehemiah may have doubted his own ability, but he never doubted God.  The book is full of prayers – silent prayers, short prayers, and specific prayers.  I just love the prayer in Chapter 2 when Nehemiah is talking to the King trying to persuade him to let him go to Jerusalem.

The King said to me, “What is it you want?”  Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the King.  (2:4)

He didn’t have very long to pray that prayer did he?  But he prayed to the God of heaven at that moment, he prayed because he knew it wasn’t about him.  He couldn’t do it, but he put his confidence in God and God gave him the words. . . .”If it pleases the King etc. 

At that moment he put his confidence not in his own power of words, not in his own position, but he put his confidence in God.  Leaders, as soon as they put confidence in themselves (I can give you a great long list to prove this), they fail.  As soon as they think they’ve got the answers themselves, as soon as they think they have got the strength, they fail.  If a leader is to lead effectively, they must constantly put their confidence in God.

If things aren’t working out for you today maybe you are placing your confidence in the wrong person!