Nehemiah’s Bold Mission: Trusting God to Rebuild (Nehemiah 2:1–20)
Have you ever seen something broken and wished you could fix it? That’s exactly what Nehemiah felt when he heard about the ruined walls of Jerusalem. His story shows us how trusting God gives us the courage to take action—even when the job looks huge.
Let’s walk through what happened in Nehemiah 2.
A Brave Request to the King
Nehemiah worked as a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes, a powerful ruler. One day, Nehemiah showed up to work looking sad. This was risky—back then, being sad in front of the king could cost you your job or worse!
But when the king asked what was wrong, Nehemiah said a quick prayer and bravely explained how Jerusalem was broken down. He asked for permission to go rebuild it.
Surprisingly, the king said yes! He even gave Nehemiah letters to guarantee safe travel and supplies for the work.
Lesson: When we pray and trust God, He can open doors that seem impossible.
Checking Things Out Quietly
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he didn’t rush to announce his plans. Instead, he took a few trusted people and went out at night to inspect the walls. He wanted to see for himself how bad the damage was before telling everyone.
Lesson: Before jumping into action, it’s wise to carefully understand the situation.
Inspiring the People to Rebuild
After seeing the broken walls and gates up close, Nehemiah finally gathered the people. He shared the need and told them how God had helped him so far.
The people were inspired. They didn’t hesitate—they said, “Let’s start rebuilding!” and got ready to work.
Lesson: When a leader trusts God and shares His vision, it can inspire many others to join in.
Standing Strong Against Opposition
Of course, not everyone was happy about the rebuilding.
Enemies like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem mocked Nehemiah and tried to discourage the workers.
But Nehemiah didn’t back down. He answered them boldly:
“The God of heaven will give us success.”
He trusted that the work was God’s mission, and he refused to be scared off.
Lesson: When God calls you to do something, there will be challenges. But His strength will help you overcome them.
Final Thoughts
Nehemiah’s story shows us that faith, prayer, and action go together.
He didn’t just sit and wish things were better—he prayed, planned, and moved forward with courage.
You might see something broken in your life, your family, or even in your community.
Don’t be afraid to step up.
God is ready to give you the strength, wisdom, and help you need to rebuild.
What is God putting on your heart to rebuild today?
Start with prayer. Trust His timing. Then take the first step—He’ll be with you all the way.
Nehemiah 2:1-20 (WEB)
2:1 In the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, I picked up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence. 2 The king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.”Then I was very much afraid. 3 I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?”4 Then the king said to me, “What is your request?”So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.”6 The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by him), “How long will your journey be? When will you return?”So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time for him. 7 Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah; 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.”The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me. 9 Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. 12 I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me except the animal that I rode on. 13 I went out by night by the valley gate toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate; and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire. 14 Then I went on to the spring gate and to the king’s pool, but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the brook and inspected the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned. 16 The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.17 Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let’s build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we won’t be disgraced.” 18 I told them about the hand of my God which was good on me, and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me.They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”20 Then I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”