Tag: #nehemiah

Dreams that Rise on Heaven’s Timing

Nehemiah’s story started with tears – when he heard of the deplorable state of Jerusalem – the walls were broken and the gates were burned with fire. In his heart, a holy burden was born. What many people missed about Nehemiah’s story was this: he didn’t rush into rebuilding – he waited, prayed, fasted and carried out the dream before God for four months.

The Dream begins with a burden – but unfolds in God’s Timing

Nehemiah’s dream began the day he was wept upon hearing about the broken walls of Jerusalem. But the rebuilding didn’t start until heaven opened the door through King Xerxes, who not only gave him permission to leave, but also gave him safe passage to Jerusalem and material for rebuilding the walls.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven – Nehemiah 1:4

The Pause is for Preparation

Nehemiah mourned, prayed and fasted. Before Nehemiah can rebuild walls, God needed to rebuild Nehemiah – for his courage, clarity, strategy and resolve. God is preparing Nehemiah so that he can reply the king and receive the king’s blessings.

Then I prayed to God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” – Nehemiah 2:4-5

When Heaven’s Timing Arrives

Once God opened the door, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls that were destroyed for 140 years – in just 52 days. God’s timing can sometimes seem slow, and at times, happen in impossible speed! His timing is always perfect. 

So the wall was completed in fifty-two days – Nehemiah 6:15

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: trust in God for His perfect timing. When I first published my first journal book based on Nehemiah in 2022, God gave me the crazy idea of publishing the book in 52 days! Amidst my doubts and fears, I succeeded to do that. I truly believe it was only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I was able to achieve this impossible feat!

A God-sized dream is never rushed. It is divinely timed.

From Broken Dreams to Restored Hope

Nehemiah was a Bible character, who was a cupbearer for a Persian King. When he heard about the deplorable state of the walls of Jerusalem, he was heartbroken.

What are issues of the world that breaks your heart? For me personally, it’s women who are stuck with their broken dreams, longing for restored hope. For many years, I was feeling restless and stuck – through God’s grace, He restored my hope by helping me pursue my divine dreams.

Restoration demands Action

When Nehemiah heard of the broken walls of Jerusalem, he fasted and prayed. But he didn’t stop there, hoping someone will do something about it. He boldly asked the king’s permission for leave, and even boldly requested for safe passage to Jerusalem and rebuilding materials for the wall.

We can easily bury our dreams, and forget them. That’s what happens to many of us. But God puts divine dreams in us to fuel the fire of our hearts and to take action.

Expect Resistance

When Nehemiah started rebuilding the broken walls, there were people who mocked and even threatened him. But Nehemiah resisted them with this famous quote:

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” — Nehemiah 6:3 (NKJV)

How often we buckle under pressure. For me, I always get distracted and procrastinate easily. The verse above reminds me: I am doing God’s great work and I need to focus. It’s only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I’m able to overcome resistance and distractions.

Hope is Restored when we Rise

When the walls were repaired, it wasn’t just stone and mortar that was rebuilt — it was the people’s faith. What once seemed impossible became a testimony of God’s power. And the same can be true for you. When you rise up to rebuild, your courage won’t just restore your own hope — it will ignite hope in others too.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: step forward in faith, for God is ready to turn your broken dreams into restored hope.

Your broken dreams are not beyond God’s reach, but you must decide: Will I keep living among the rubble? Or will I rise and rebuild my divine dreams?