Leave an Inheritance of Vision and Determination (Nehemiah 1:1-11)

Sermon on 19 October 2025 by Pastor Justin Chia

Introduction

The book of Nehemiah was set when the Israelites were returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile. Jerusalem was in ruins and people were living in distress. Nehemiah was sorrowful about this, and pleaded with God for mercy to rebuild the city with its people.

Vision and determination are not based on ambition, but come from God. We can learn how to do this from Nehemiah.

Message

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. - Nehemiah 1:1-4

O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer. - Nehemiah 1:11

And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favour in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” - Nehemiah 2:5

But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish - stones that are burned?” Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” - Nehemiah 4:1-3

With vision and determination, Nehemiah united the people and carried out what God had put in his heart, and the wall was completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). When guided by God, there can be change that lasts generations. Nehemiah’s leadership did not just leave behind strong walls, it left an inheritance of vision and determination.

1. Vision starts with prayer

Nehemiah fasted and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4). True vision comes from prayer, not ambition (Daniel 9:23).

At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision: - Daniel 9:23

The moment you pray, understanding will be given to you. When you do not understand things, ask God to reveal the message to you. Pray to God for understanding and vision. Prayer shapes vision, strengthens foundation and brings victory. Prayer is the driving force behind understanding divine revelation, and visions.

2. Determination will encounter opposition

For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. - Nehemiah 6:9

Determination pushes us forward despite all fear and challenges. When challenges arise, do not give up on the assignment God gave you.

3. Vision and determination will bring people together and finish strong

In Nehemiah 3, we read that everyone had a section of the wall to rebuild. Vision and determination will multiply strength and bring unity (Nehemiah 6:15-16).

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. - Nehemiah 6:15-16

Finishing well demonstrates a faithful servant’s vision and determination (2 Timothy 4:7).

Closing

Ask yourself: What will I leave behind? Material things or a movement of spiritual value that is rooted in the fear of the Lord, the love for His Word, and a life of righteousness?

Let us leave an inheritance of faith, courage, worship and repentance, wisdom and justice, boldness and leadership, as well as vision and determination. May the generations after us inherit not just our example, but our unwavering trust in God.