Title: Five Elements of a Successful Leader
Nehemiah (6) Five elements of a successful leader (Nehemiah 2:1-10)
1. Persistent prayer
On the day of the king's feast, in compassion for the people, Nehemiah showed a search on his face. On other occasions the king would have been quite offended by the sullen face on the feast day, but on that day the king reacted strangely. And when he sees Nehemiah full of water, he says, “Damn the feast! I'm in a bad mood!" I asked with a strange sense of compassion, without thinking. “If you have no disease, why do you have water on your face? Surely you have some sorrow (verse 2).”
Why did the king have compassion and not anger? It was the result of Nehemiah's constant prayer (Nehemiah 1:11). Prayer is never in vain. Prayer is the greatest power to change the world. keep praying If you do not give up on your dreams, visions, and prayers, someday the dream-like time will come. Just as humans become deformed babies when they are born after 7 months, if an answer to prayer bears fruit too quickly, it can become deformed fruit. Just as dongchimi takes time to taste better, answers to prayers become the most wonderful in God's time.
2. Words of wisdom
Nehemiah was terrified at the king's question, "Why do you have a deep face?" It was because if the expression was dark in front of the king, he could die according to the king's mood. Then Nehemiah's wise words stood out. He first prayed for the king's peace and blessings by saying, “Long live the king!” (verse 3). There is no one in this world who does not like someone who exalts and blesses him. Excessive flattery and calculating flattery should be avoided, but do not be stingy in praise and exaltation. A person who knows how to elevate others is successful.
Nehemiah also described ‘Jerusalem’ as ‘the city where the tombs of my ancestors are’ (verse 3). When the king banned the rebuilding of Jerusalem, saying in front of him, “I am upset by the desolation of Jerusalem,” could hurt the pride of the king. However, since the word ‘Jerusalem’ was omitted and it was referred to as ‘the city where the tombs of my ancestors are located,’ I was able to show filial piety without damaging the pride of the king. In the same way, keep the other person's pride and feelings, and have the wisdom to do everything you have to say. A single word determines a person's life, and sometimes even the fate of a family, a church, and a country.
3. Give yourself away
Hearing Nehemiah's words, the king asked, "What do you want?" Then he prayed for a while and then said his wish. “King! If it is okay with you, send me to the tombs of my ancestors in the land of Judah so that I can rebuild the city!” Look at Nehemiah's willingness to forsake his comfortable life and give himself up for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. How beautiful would it have been to a foreign king? When do people look their most beautiful? It's time to give yourself
4. Planning and Preparation
Then Nehemiah said, “King! Thank you for letting me go, what are you looking for? I don't need anything.” He boldly asked for a specific need. Why did you ask for it so boldly and proudly? Because he did not ask for himself, but for the glory of God. Some people pray like this. "God! Thank you for saving me, but I don’t need anything anymore.” It's a very passive prayer. It is not greed to ask for necessity in order to do God's work well.
Sometimes some missionaries don't even know they have an urgent need. Because when you tell them your material needs, you feel like you are begging. So when you meet a missionary, always ask first. “Missionary! Anything you need?” Then, the phrase “what is needed!” is sure to come out. It is not easy to say such material needs first, but if it is for a holy vision rather than greed, boldly ask for it and share prayer requests with friends of faith.
Nehemiah was then able to give him the details of his needs immediately and immediately because while praying, he was already making concrete plans for the reconstruction in his heart and mind. As you pray, make a specific plan and prepare. Why aren't many dreams and visions fulfilled? Because there is no plan or preparation. Don't believe in blessings without sweat. Luck also comes to those who work hard. In baseball, there are many lucky wins in which batters hit well even if the pitcher didn't throw well. But even such luck is a bonus that comes from hard work and skill.
5. Overcoming adversity
When Nehemiah boldly spoke of his wish, the king graciously granted all his requests (v. 8). Everything went well. But things don't always go smoothly. When Nehemiah went to Judah as governor of the king with his army chief and horsemen and showed the king's decree to the governors on the west side of the river, Sanballat, governor of Samaria, and Tobiah, his servant, were worried and blocked Nehemiah's way. (verses 9-10).
Life doesn't always go well. Still, don't give up on your vision, keep praying and go out in faith. Prosperity is not necessarily a blessing, and impatience does not make it go any faster. Don't be swayed even if it's difficult. Even if it is difficult, do not give up on prayer and service. Then comes the moment when you get over the difficult situation. A person who overcomes adversity and difficulties several times and is not shaken under any circumstances becomes a leader who changes the world.