Tag: Give God Glory when He Gives Wisdom - Nehemiah 1-4

Nehemiah 4:15

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.

Tag:  Give God Glory when He Gives Wisdom

In our society today, leaders are quick to claim credit when something good happens.   A subordinate whispers an idea and a leader overhears it, or hears it directly; the leader than claims credit when the idea is incorporated.   In the above verse we see what Nehemiah does when God gives him wisdom about a situation he incorporates; he gives God glory for the wisdom God gives him to get out of bad situations.  In the verses prior to this verse we see that Nehemiah’s enemies are trying to stop the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.   When the enemies were secretly trying to come upon them to stop the project, God gives Nehemiah insights:

Nehemiah 4:10-11

In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.”

But, they did know, because God alerted them.  Nehemiah then enacts a plan to stop their evilness:

Nehemiah 4:13-14

So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

It would have been very easy for Nehemiah to take credit for this wisdom.   But, he doesn’t.  He quickly gives the glory to God.   God gives us wisdom when we ask by faith (James 1).   We are quick to ask.  But, when He comes through with that wisdom we are also quick to take credit for our “prudence” and our “decisiveness.”   Nehemiah gives us a great example of how to give God the glory for His great wisdom He provides us.