Nehemiah 4:9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

Once again we have Nehemiah’s deep faith and clear-headed practicality. Faced with deadly threats, they didn’t just pray and they didn’t just take military precautions, they did both. However, the prayer came first. This is precisely what is happening in the US government today, and it is refreshing to the point of being shocking. The release of a photo of a recent cabinet meeting in which they are all bowed in prayer, led by Vice President Pence, was so different from the attitudes expressed in recent years as to be almost unbelievable. In past administrations, if anyone prayed, they didn’t let other people know about it! Nehemiah of course isn’t the only Biblical example of prayer first and then action, but he’s a particularly good and consistent one. Obviously prayer was an automatic reaction for him, but he was clearly a man of action in other ways as well. Jesus is the only perfect example we have, but we can certainly learn from other people in the Bible as well. Paul mentions learning from bad examples, (1 Corinthians 10:6-11) but there are plenty of good examples as well – including Paul himself! Hebrews says it very clearly: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:7-8) In other words, since Jesus doesn’t change, the faith and obedience that worked for others is going to work for us. That’s good to remember!

I have encountered many excellent examples throughout my life, growing up in a missionary household and associating with many giants of faith. One thing I learned, even as a child, was that such people might be giants, but they were just as human as I was. We had people staying in our home overnight who are literally in the history books, and I learned such things as what they liked for breakfast. Such an environment is a rare privilege, and it gave me the awareness that God uses imperfect vessels, so He could even use me. I am no Nehemiah, but if I will pray and act as he did, God will work through me. God indicated to me last week that I’m to be a “faith engine” for the believers here. However, just being strong in faith myself doesn’t accomplish that. I need His wisdom to communicate faith to others, so they too may believe and act. If we will do that, we will in turn be examples for still others, for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for this Word, and for making it clear what I’m to speak on Sunday. I pray that I would indeed follow the good examples that have been set before me and not the bad, so that Your plans for me and for this church would be fulfilled, on Your schedule and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!