Hello Everyone,

What was it about Nehemiah that made him the kind of person God could use? The first chapter of Nehemiah shows us four characteristics of the kind of person God uses. First of all...

God Uses People He Can Trust (v. 11) "I was a cupbearer to the king."

A strong friendship often developed between the king and his cupbearer. The king knew he could trust Nehemiah; Nehemiah was a loyal slave.

When God needs someone to do a job for Him, this is the kind of person He looks for. Some people want to be used by God, but they're not trustworthy.

We make the mistake of thinking that when the big opportunity comes up we'll jump in and serve God with all we've got. But the fact is if we can't be trusted to do little things with a spirit of excellence, we won't get the chance to do the big thing. Jesus said..."...you have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." (Matthew 25:23)

Also God Uses People With Compassion (v. 3-4) They said to me, "Those who

survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.

Nehemiah was genuinely moved by what he heard. Jerusalem, the city of God, had been stripped of its glory. The once great and beautiful city was now in shambles, and this grieved Nehemiah. He hurt for his ancestors; he felt the pain of the people.

If our heart is not moved with compassion over the needs of other people, we are not leadership material. But, if seeing what needs to be done compels us to get involved, then we have what it takes to be used by God.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!

Pastor Phil