“Champions trust God while others ask for answers. They step forward while everyone else prays for volunteers.” Dr. Lester Sumrall (1913-1996)

One of the great examples and champions of the Old Testament was Nehemiah, the exiled cup bearer of Artaxerxes, King of Persia. Nehemiah had a heart cry for his people being neglected and abused back in Jerusalem. Nehemiah was a prayer warrior, God’s special instrument! Prayer set his faith on fire, helped him to wait patiently, cleared his vision, and confidently quieted his heart. He didn’t pray for volunteers, he stepped out under the cover of God to do a remarkable work he was born to accomplish.

As you read the Book of Nehemiah, you’ll see a person that God had developed as His champion to complete a unique assignment. Balanced in God’s authority, and in spite of relentless opposition, Nehemiah coordinated a major undertaking of rebuilding the wall around the Temple in Jerusalem in only 52 days.

Nehemiah was a man loaded with leadership attributes and so are we if we are true followers of the greatest leader of all time, Jesus Christ. The Bible says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and it’s not by might or power, but by His Spirit. In other words, God’s attributes are available to us if we are open and determined to accomplish the unique assignment He has equipped us to accomplish. Not only that, we can rely on continuous communication with Him like Nehemiah through prayer; a foolproof weapon available to us all.

Please be clear. There is nothing wrong with praying in general, even for volunteers to emerge for specific purposes. Today’s message is more of a focus or personal challenge, summed up in this probing question: Are we a champion that steps forward to accomplish what God wants us to do, or are we one who only looks for answers and/or prays for others to volunteer?

Family and friends, this week, let’s take a page out of the prayer and play book of Nehemiah. Let’s look to our future like a pioneer of destiny. We have the potential to trust God, to do His will, and to step out personally in Kingdom-building significance as His champions too!

Book of Neh; Phil 4:13; James 1:22; Eph 4; James 5:16b; Ps 127:1; Isaiah 6:8

Editor’s Note:  In the same way that we must pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers, we must also stand before Him and say, “Here am I Lord. Send me.”