1. He had the faith to wait (Neh. 2:1–3) Since the Jewish month of Nisan, it would indicate that four months have passed since Nehemiah received the bad news. As every believer should, Nehemiah patiently waited on the Lord; because it is “through faith and patience” that we inherit the promises (Heb. 6:12). “He that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa. 28:16). True faith in God brings calmness to the heart that keeps us from rushing and trying to do in our own strength what only God can do. We must know not only how to weep and pray, but also how to wait and pray.
Three statements in Scripture have a calming effect on me whenever I get nervous and want to rush ahead of the Lord: “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Ex. 14:13); “Sit still...until you know how the matter will turn out” (Ruth 3:18); “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). When you wait on the Lord in prayer, you are not wasting your time; you are investing it. God is preparing both you and your circumstances so that His purposes will be accomplished.
The king noticed that his cupbearer was carrying a burden. Had Artaxerxes been in a bad mood, he might have banished Nehemiah; but instead, the king inquired. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Prov. 21:1). World leaders are only God’s servants, whether they know it or not. “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You” (2 Chron. 20:6).

2. He had the faith to ask (Neh. 2:4–8) It encourages my prayer life when I contrast the earthly throne of Artaxerxes with the throne of grace in heaven. Nehemiah had to wait for an invitation before he could share his burden with the king, but we can come to the throne of grace at any time with any need (Heb. 4:14–16). Artaxerxes saw the sorrow on Nehemiah’s face, but our Lord sees our hearts and not only knows our sorrows but also feels them with us. People approaching the throne of Persia had to be very careful what they said, lest they anger the king; but God’s people can approach His throne and tell Him whatever burdens them.
Not only had Nehemiah prayed for this opportunity, but he had also planned for it and had his answer ready. During those four months of waiting, he had thought the matter through. His reply can be summarized in two requests: “Send me!” (Neh. 2:4–6) and “Give me!” (vv. 7–10)
Nehemiah had done his research well. He knew everything he needed to ask for and received authority from the king.
When Jesus sent His disciples out to minister, He first gave them the authority they needed to do the job; and He promised to meet their every need (Matt. 10:1–15). As we go forth to serve the Lord, we have behind us all authority in heaven and on earth (28:18); so we don’t have to be afraid. The important thing is that we go where He sends us and that we do the work He has called us to do.
The king’s response is evidence of the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. We forget that God can also work through unbelievers. He used Pharaoh to display His power in Egypt (Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:17). Caesar issued a decree that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–7), and two different Roman centurions—saved Paul’s life. We must remember that God is not required to use only believers.
3. He had the faith to challenge others (Neh. 2:11–18a)
Traveling (Neh. 2:9–10). No description is given of the trip from Susa to Jerusalem, a journey of at least two months’ time. When the official caravan arrived, it was bound to attract attention, particularly among those who hated the Jews and wanted to keep them from fortifying their city.
Nehemiah would soon discover that his biggest problem was not the enemy on the outside but the compromisers on the inside, a problem the church still faces today.
Investigating (Neh. 2:11–16). 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).
As he surveyed the situation, it was just as his brother had reported: The walls were broken down and the gates were burned. Leaders must not live in a dream world. They must face facts honestly and accept the bad news as well as the good news.
Challenging (Neh. 2:17–20). Nehemiah’s appeal was positive; he focused on the glory and greatness of the Lord. He had been in the city only a few days, but he spoke of “we” and “us” and not “you” and “them.” As he did in his prayer (1:6–7), he identified with the people and their needs. The city was a reproach to the Lord, but the hand of the Lord was with them; and He would enable them to do the work.
It is to the credit of the followers that they accepted the challenge immediately and said, “Let us rise up and build!” They didn’t remind Nehemiah that they had once tried to repair the walls and were stopped (Ezra 4). “We tried that once and it didn’t work. Why try again?”
The good hand of God was upon the leader, and the followers “strengthen their hands” for the work (Neh. 2:8, 18). It takes both. Leaders can’t do the job by themselves, and workers can’t accomplish much without leaders.
Nehemiah was not only able to challenge his own people, but he was also able to stand up against the enemy and deal effectively with their opposition. Just as soon as God’s people step out by faith to do His will, the enemy shows up and tries to discourage them. Sanballat and Tobiah heard about the work (10).
We will see next that they started off with ridicule; they laughed and belittled both their resources and their plans. They even suggested that the Jews were rebelling against the king. Anyone who has ever accomplished anything has faced ridicule. Our Lord was ridiculed during His life and mocked while He was hanging on the cross. He was “despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:3).
Nehemiah could have dealt with their ridicule in several ways. In his reply, Nehemiah made three things clear: Rebuilding the wall was God’s work; the Jews were God’s servants; and they had no part in the matter.
Unfortunately, not everybody in Jerusalem agreed with him; for some of them cooperated with the bad guys and added to Nehemiah’s burdens.

let’s ask ourselves whether we are the kind of missionaries God wants us to be. Like Nehemiah, do we have a burden in our hearts for the work God has called us to do? (2:12) Are we willing to sacrifice to see His will accomplished? Are we patient in gathering facts and in planning our work? Do we enlist the help of others or try to do everything ourselves? Do we motivate people on the basis of what God is doing?
As followers of Christ, do we listen to what our Savior says as he shares our burdens? Do we cling to the past or desire to see God do something new? Do we put our hands to the work? Are we cooperating in any way with the enemy and thus weakening the work? Have we found what God wants us to complete?
Were it not for the dedication and determination that came from his faith in a great God, Nehemiah would never have accepted the challenge or finished the work. No matter how difficult the task, BE DETERMINED! “It is always too soon to quit.”

Brethren and sisters, I hope you are all working for Christ. Christ has saved you, can you do otherwise than live to your Savior? If, indeed, your sins are all put away by his precious blood, if you are wrapped in his spotless righteousness, and accepted in the Beloved, I do trust that the love of Christ constrains you to tell to others of the way of salvation, and to seek to bring in the wandering sheep of the house of Israel - Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”.