Crisis Management Training from Nehemiah in the Bible

Almost everyone has a boss. Even bosses have bosses. Bosses greatly influence us. Sometimes, they greatly irritate us.

An employee wrote his justification for buying a new computer to his boss. The boss re-wrote it to show him how it should be done. Then he turned it down!

Most of us think other people should change. But we have learned we cannot make it happen. Nehemiah faced a similar situation. His response provides crisis management training for the rest of us.

The king’s heart must change for Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem. The solution to this problem could help us with the crisis we face.

First, pray for God to move. He has His timetable. After hearing about the crisis in Jerusalem, Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed for four months. It seemed like he was more anxious to fix the problem than God was. God often doesn't follow our timetable or meet our expectations.

Nothing changed outwardly, but Nehemiah continued praying. He sought nothing less than an 180-degree reversal of the king’s previous decree that Jerusalem would not be rebuilt until he ordered it (Ezra 4:21). Nehemiah believed God could make it happen.

What about your crisis? You have been praying about it. Can you trust God to change people’s hearts? God has His timetable. We must adjust our timetable daily to His. Keep praying and planning for God to move.

Nehemiah planned for God to move because he had a specific plan to carry out the rebuilding task. He knew how long he would be away.

He requested letters for the governors of the lands west of the Euphrates River to pass through without incident. He wanted a letter to get timber from Asaph, who oversaw the royal lumberyard and forest (Nehemiah 2:8).

Have you prayed and planned concerning your crisis? Nehemiah prayed for God to move and planned, trusting He would. God was melting King Artaxerxes’ icy heart.

Nehemiah had prayed for favor in the king’s presence (Nehemiah 1:11). God exceeded his expectations.

The king sent the captains of the army and horsemen with Nehemiah. He made the change in the royal policy clear. Nehemiah credited God’s gracious hand upon his life (Nehemiah 2:8).

That did not eliminate all of Nehemiah’s struggles. He committed himself to personal involvement in the rebuilding of the wall project.

He prayed about, planned for it, and moved ahead despite his fear. How will you participate with God to address the crisis in your life?

Has the Lord burdened your heart about it? Have you been praying about it? God wants you to move with him to do something about it when he opens a door of opportunity, despite your fear. What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources 

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