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Success Lessons in Nehemiah: Part 4

Life Applications and Lessons

The success lessons in Nehemiah just keep appearing! These lessons and principles are great for all areas of our lives.

An open book with white pages rests on a white surface, accompanied by a beige knitted blanket and a branch of white flowers. At the bottom, "Success Lessons in Nehemiah: Part 4" is elegantly inscribed, inviting readers into its insightful journey.

Let’s see what success lessons the Lord has for us in the book of Nehemiah this week. Let’s read, learn, and apply!

Overview of the History

If you are just joining us, you can see a little bit of the history before today’s message in the links below:

1 – Success Lessons in Nehemiah: Part 1
2 – Success Lessons in Nehemiah: Part 2
3 – Success Lessons in Nehemiah: Part 3

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Success Lessons 

Nehemiah 5:6-7

“I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, ‘Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.’ So I called a large assembly against them…”
Nehemiah 5:6-7

  • They had just returned from a land where they had been slaves in a foreign country. They were all trying to make it, but they were charging their own people interest and treating them as slaves.
  • Run your business affairs with integrity.
  • You can make a profit without taking advantage of people.
A quote from Leviticus 25:35-37 reminds us to support a destitute brother without seeking profit. This timeless wisdom pairs well with success lessons in Nehemiah and graces an off-white, textured background. Visit www.homewithgraceandjoy.com for more inspiration.

Nehemiah 5:15-16

“The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this. Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.” Nehemiah 5:15-16

  • Nehemiah knew Who he was working for – the Lord instead of man.
  • I would venture to say that if we kept this mindset, everything we did would be different, especially our attitudes.
  • All of the people under him helped him in the work because he treated them with respect and didn’t take advantage of them, even though he had the authority to do so.
  • He was in the trenches working with them!
  • We have all had good and not so good authority over us in our lifetimes. When you have a boss or authority figure over you whom you respect, you go to bat for them.
  • We all have our own authority in life. It could be as a parent, business owner, politician, educator, or a church leader, etc. Whatever those areas are for us, we cannot take advantage of the people.
Text on a beige background reads: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12. Echoing the success lessons in Nehemiah, a faint heart shape is behind the text. Website: www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.

Nehemiah 6:1-4

“When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: ‘Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.

But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: ‘I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.” Nehemiah 6:1-4

  • The opposition kept trying to get Nehemiah off course so he would not be successful in his mission.
  • Nehemiah remained laser-focused and didn’t let them distract him from the work.
  • When the oppositions’ plans aren’t working, they will change their tactics to try and make you fail. Expect it and keep going!
  • They may even act like they are trying to help you. Stay in close communication with the Lord so you can see the tactics of the enemy and know who you can trust.
  • Even good things can get you off track and keep you from being successful.
  • Don’t get distracted by the little things. You are on a mission. Stay focused on that.
  • If the opposition wants you to fail, they will be very persistent. Don’t give into them or their tactics of discouragement. The most persistent one wins.
  • Instead of getting discouraged, take the attacks as a compliment. If you weren’t doing a great thing, they wouldn’t be trying to stop you.
Text on a beige gradient background reads: "The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus." - Bruce Lee. Discover more success lessons in Nehemiah at www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.

Nehemiah 6:9

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’

But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’” Nehemiah 6:9

  • Nehemiah had faced so many obstacles, and he faced them with wisdom. He knew he needed more strength, so he prayed to the One Who gives strength!
  • So many things can wear us down when we are trying to do good things. Continue to ask the Lord to give you the strength to withstand everything that comes against you.

Nehemiah 6:10-13

“One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, ‘Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.’

But I said, ‘Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!‘ I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.'” Nehemiah 6:10-13

  • The advice Nehemiah’s “friend” gave him was against God’s commands. He knew that someone had gotten to Shemaiah. However, Nehemiah stood firm in his obedience to the Lord.
  • Nehemiah knew that if his reputation was ruined, the people might turn against him, and the mission would not be completed.
  • Stand firm in your convictions, even if what is suggested looks like it will be to your benefit or get you ahead in the game. If it doesn’t line up with God’s Word, don’t do it.
  • Be on guard in this area. This type of bad advice usually comes to you like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It may sound like a great plan, and the person suggesting it may even have good intentions, but it will not be the Lord’s will for you.
  • Live above reproach so that no one can discredit you.
Text on a soft, abstract background reads: "A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1. Discover success lessons in Nehemiah at www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.

Nehemiah 6:16

“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:16

  • Because Nehemiah never let anything or anyone stop him from doing what the Lord called him to do, the people in the surrounding nations saw what God could do! It was a testament to His power, because this task was humanly impossible!
  • Keep doing what the Lord calls you to do, even when you don’t feel like it is possible.
  • Let Him use your weaknesses to show His power.
  • Don’t get discouraged when you are up against a “humanly impossible” task. Let the Lord shine as He works through you!
A beige watercolor background with the text: “So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10. Decorated with small star icons, echoing success lessons from Nehemiah.

The verses this week had a lot to do with facing obstacles and opposition. Whether that is in our businesses or our personal lives, they can creep in quickly.

Let’s keep these success lessons in Nehemiah in mind as we go through our everyday lives. I believe we will have much more success if we do.

Join us next week as we continue to look at more of these success principles. If you get a chance, read the book of Nehemiah. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Please join us as we read the Word each week and share more faith, family and food ideas.

Success Lessons Resources

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These are a few of my favorite Bible study resources.

Fun Idea

An open book on a fringed cloth displays handwritten notes in its margins, capturing the insights of "Success Lessons in Nehemiah." A fabric bookmark nestles between pages rich with text and blue pen annotations, inviting reflection at a table brimming with study and wisdom.

If you have joined me recently, these daily life applications from the Bible are examples of some of the comments I am writing in the Bibles I am giving to my grandchildren when they graduate from high school. Click here to see the post where I explain this eternal gift idea. I want to give them all the resources I can to use in today’s world!

Related Posts

1 – Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 1
2 – Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 2
3 – Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 3
4 – Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 4

I hope these life applications and lessons on success will help you as your seek to fulfill the Lord’s purpose for your life.

Please share any encouragement and lessons you have learned this week as you read the Word of God. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until next week…

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“From one Man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.” Acts 17:26

(New Testament)

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4 Comments

  1. I am going to be so sad when we finish with this book, Susan. I’ve really enjoyed all the lessons and gentle reminders you’ve shared. They’ve been exactly what I’ve needed to hear/read at exactly the time I’ve needed to hear them. Sending you so many hugs and thank yous for this series, CoCo

    1. Isn’t it so wonderful when the Lord puts things together like that? His timing is always on time!!!

  2. Susan, it’s so good to reconnect this morning. I’ve always struggled with some OT books and you’ve made Nehemiah come alive for me here. Thank you!

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