The God Who Strengthens and Sustains

Introduction

Good morning, Church. Praise God for His sovereign good hand.

In the opening verses of Nehemiah, we witnessed God’s mighty providence in the life of His servant. Though Nehemiah was deeply burdened by the brokenness of Jerusalem, he did not act impulsively—he waited on the Lord in prayer. For four months he sought God, until the Lord opened a door—remarkably, in the setting of a royal banquet.

There, Nehemiah stood before King Artaxerxes, and by the mercy of God, the king granted him leave, gave him letters of authority, supplied timber for the rebuilding, and even appointed a military escort for his safe journey.

As Nehemiah testified, “the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me” (Nehemiah 2:8).

We saw God’s sovereign hand over timing, over authority, and even over the stirrings of opposition. The king’s heart, as Scripture declares, “is in the hand of the Lord… he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

Now, in Nehemiah 2:11–20, the real work begins—not with bricks and mortar, but with preparation, prayerful inspection, and a call to rise and act. Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem. And just as God stirred the heart of a king in the palace, He now begins to stir the hearts of His people in the city.

What unfolds is more than a strategic plan; it is a portrait of godly leadership and Spirit-led obedience. It is a continuation of the divine work of God—through His servant—moving His people to say, “Let us rise up and build” (v. 18).

This morning, we’ll behold this truth:

The same God who sends us is the God who strengthens us.

He grants wisdom for the task, grace to inspire others, and boldness to stand firm in the face of opposition.

Let us fix our eyes on “the God of heaven”—the One who enables His servants to “arise and build” (v. 20).

Please open your Bibles to Nehemiah 2:11–20 and place your bookmark there. Let us all stand and read the passage together.

Prayer

O God of Heaven and Sovereign King,

We come before You with thankful hearts. We praise You for Your faithful, sovereign hand—the same hand that upheld Nehemiah still upholds us today.

You rule over kings and kingdoms, yet You draw near to Your people in mercy and grace.

As we open Your Word, open our hearts. Help us receive what You have spoken with humility and faith. Just as You strengthened Nehemiah and stirred the hearts of Your people to rise and build, would You stir us this morning—to trust You more deeply, obey You more fully, and serve You more boldly.

Teach us by Your Word. Shape us through it. May we be able to say, like Nehemiah, “the good hand of my God was upon me” (Nehemiah 2:8), and may that truth give us courage in every challenge.

Let Your Spirit move in our midst—bringing conviction where we need repentance, encouragement where we are weary, and clarity where we are unsure.

May Christ be exalted in every word, every thought, and every response of our hearts.

We love You, O God of Heaven. We pray this in our Saviour’s precious and holy name, Amen.

The God Who Strengthens and Sustains

When God calls you to something difficult—something hard, overwhelming, and seemingly impossible—where does your faith rest? In your own strength, or in the God who promises to strengthen and sustain His people for His purposes? Because God is the One who strengthens and sustains His people for His purposes, we must depend wholly on Him in every good work He calls us to.

In Nehemiah 2:11–20, we see that it was not human strategy or strength that advanced the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, but the gracious hand of God upon His servant (v. 18).

God’s initiative—not man’s ingenuity—is at the heart of every lasting work. He provides wisdom for the task, grace to inspire others, and courage to endure opposition.

As His church, we are not passive observers or self-reliant labourers, but faithful vessels through whom God displays His power.

So let us seek His guidance in every task, encourage one another in the truth of His faithfulness, and stand firm in opposition—knowing the God who calls us will also carry us and complete the work He begins, so that His name is glorified through the obedience of His people.

Here are the three points we’ll be studying this morning:

· God’s Guidance in the Work (vv. 11-16)

· God’s Grace in the Calling (vv. 17-18)

· God’s Guarantee in the Opposition (vv. 19-20)

1 God’s Guidance in the Work (v11-16)

Nehemiah 2:11–16

11So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.

12And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

13And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

14Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

15Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.

16And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

In verse 11, the narrative shifts to a new scene. Nehemiah is now in Jerusalem. After delivering the king’s letters to the governors beyond the River and paying them his respects, he finally arrives—escorted by military officers.

If we look at the map, it was a four-month journey from Susa, traversing inhospitable terrain at roughly 14 to 16 kilometres per day. But now, Nehemiah stands in the very city he had wept for, prayed for, and fasted over.

a. God’s Sovereignty in Stillness (v. 11b)

Note the last line of verse 11: “And I was there three days.”

Upon his arrival, Nehemiah remained in Jerusalem for three days. This was customary for ancient travellers. Ezra had done the same after his own journey (Ezra 8:32). The pause allowed for physical rest and mental recovery.

But with Nehemiah, this stillness carries greater weight. It reveals not only wisdom but also spiritual restraint. Though the walls were broken and the people in reproach, Nehemiah did not act impulsively. He did not begin rebuilding immediately. Instead, he waited. He rested. He observed. Most likely, he prayed and sought the Lord’s guidance.

This was not being passive—it was purposeful stillness. He refused to be driven by urgency. He waited on God’s timing.

b. God’s Sovereignty in Secrecy (v. 12a)

Now observe verse 12: “And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.”

Why did Nehemiah rise by night? Because the cover of darkness allowed him to keep his mission concealed. Aware of the opposition that surrounded him, he sought wisdom before action.

He took only a few men with him—likely trusted aides. There was no entourage, no grand procession, no publicity campaign. Unlike today’s politicians who hold press conferences to boast of their plans and parade their accomplishments, Nehemiah moved in silence.

This wasn’t fear—it was Spirit-led restraint. He didn’t act out of impulse or seek validation from others. Instead, he waited for the Lord’s timing. He would not move until God gave him clarity.

He did not seek the approval of man, nor was he moved by public expectation.

Nehemiah’s silence was not weakness; it was worship. It was a quiet confidence in God's leading.

I love this quote from John Owen.

“We have no power from God - unless we live in the persuasion that we have none of our own.” — John Owen

In a world that celebrates instant results and public recognition, Nehemiah’s quiet, prayerful approach is striking. He led not through noise or visibility, but through godly restraint—waiting on the Lord rather than acting under pressure.

His example reminds us that the work of God often begins, not with action, but with stillness: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

c. God’s Initiative in the Heart of His Servants (v. 12b)

Read again the middle of verse 12: “Neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah’s concern was neither fame, recognition, nor national pride. He didn’t arrive as a self-appointed saviour, boasting of the king’s approval, the letters to the governors were sent ahead, the resources he carried, or the military escort that accompanied him.

No. His focus was simply this: faithful obedience to the work that God had placed upon his heart.

Loved ones, please listen carefully to this vital truth: God is the one who initiates His work in the hearts of His servants.

Before we make any decision, before we act, or even before we feel a burden—we must realise that it is Godwho works in us.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Nehemiah’s mission was not initiated by his own desire. Though he was deeply moved by the news of Jerusalem’s ruin—so much so that he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed for days—it was ultimately the sovereign and gracious hand of God that stirred his heart and set the work in motion.

It was God who placed him in Susa to receive the report from Hanani. It was God who positioned him in the king’s court as the cupbearer. It was God who opened the king’s heart. And it was God who stirred Nehemiah’s spirit.

d. God’s Wisdom in Examination (vv. 13–15)

Verse 13 describes the beginning of Nehemiah’s midnight survey: “And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem...”

The word “viewed” (שָׁבַר, shabar) means more than a glance—it implies careful examination, like a physician diagnosing a wound. Nehemiah was not riding for curiosity. He was inspecting the damage with precision and intent.

To help us visualise what’s happening in these verses, I’ve provided a map that highlights the landmarks Nehemiah mentions.

He refers to real, identifiable locations—the valley gate, the dung port, and the dragon well—all situated along the southern perimeter of Jerusalem. But this is more than just a geography lesson.

These details reveal something about Nehemiah’s character. He was not content to rely on second-hand reports or assumptions. As a faithful leader, he needed to see the devastation with his own eyes. He wanted an accurate, personal understanding of the task ahead.

And what does he find? Just as Hanani reported—the walls are broken, the gates burned. But Nehemiah presses further.

Verse 14 takes us to the fountain gate and the king’s pool (likely near the Pool of Siloam). The devastation was so complete that his beast could not pass. The rubble was impassable.

Nehemiah dismounts. He walks. Verse 15 tells us he passed “up in the night by the brook”—probably the Kidron—and completed his inspection on foot. He made the full circuit of the destruction.

He did not turn away from the ruins. He faced them. This is the mark of godly leadership: confronting the brokenness, not denying it.

e. God’s Timing in Revelation (v. 16)

Finally, verse 16: “And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.”

Nehemiah told no one—not the leaders, not the priests, not even the workers. Though he had the king’s commission, had already delivered the king’s letters to the surrounding governors, and had a military escort and the necessary supplies, he revealed nothing of his mission. Why?

Because Nehemiah understood the wisdom of waiting. There is a time to speak and a time to stay silent. A time to plan and a time to proclaim.

Even with the king’s authority, Nehemiah did not lean on man. He trusted God’s timing.

This is spiritual leadership—not reactive, but reflective; not driven by man’s urgency, but by God’s guidance.

Beloved, what kind of leadership do we value today? Are we moved by busyness and urgency—or by prayer and discernment?

Nehemiah teaches us that the work of God must be guided by God. Not by our enthusiasm, not by peer pressure, and not even by good intentions.

God's work must be done in God’s way.

Some of you may feel a burden—perhaps for a ministry, a loved one, or a spiritual need in your family or in the church. Let this passage encourage you: God begins His work by stirring hearts. But the stirring must lead to stillness, secrecy, and examination before action.

Let us be a people who:

Wait before we work

Pray before we proclaim

Watch before we speak

And when the time comes, may we rise—like Nehemiah—to do the work of our God.

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it...” (Psalm 127:1)

2 God’s Grace in the Calling (v17-18)

Nehemiah 2:17–18

17Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

18Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

From verse 17, we are brought into a pivotal moment in the narrative. Once again, we must be clear: this is not Nehemiah’s ambition driving the mission forward—it is the sovereign and gracious hand of God upon him.

Look carefully at how Nehemiah confronts the people with the reality of their condition:

“Ye see the distress that we are in…” (v. 17)

The Hebrew word for distress(רָעָה – raʿah) carries the sense of calamity, adversity, or even evil—it is not a light term. This is not just circumstantial hardship, but a morally weighty crisis. And notice: Nehemiah includes himself in this distress. He does not stand above the people; he shares in their shame.

He then points out the undeniable, visible state of their situation:

“…how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.”

This is not vague or rhetorical—it is specific, definitive, and clear. The city of God lies exposed, defenceless, and dishonoured. It is not merely about broken walls—it is about a broken witness.

This is Jerusalem, the city of the great King the God of Heaven. The city that proclaims God’s honour, majesty, and dominion. The city that bears the testimony of God's Word—of man’s sinfulness and of God’s mercy and grace.

The one place on earth where a person could draw near to offer a sin sacrifice and worship God at His appointed temple—now lies in ruins. The gates are consumed by fire. The walls are shattered.

It’s not just the city that lies in ruin—it is the reputation of God’s faithfulness to His covenant, His people, and His promises. The condition of Jerusalem reflects a dishonour brought upon the name of God among the nations.

And so, burdened with grief for the glory of God, Nehemiah calls the people into action. Enough of this disgrace, he says.

“Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.”

The word reproach (חֶרְפָּה – ḥerpah) speaks of disgrace—shame before both God and man. And once again, he says “we”—he identifies himself with the shame, even though he has not lived in Jerusalem. Nehemiah doesn’t look down from a distance; he carries the burden with his people.

But we must see this: Nehemiah’s calling is not merely to rebuild walls—it is to restore honourto the name of God. This is about more than construction—it is about consecration. It is about the glory of God being restored among His people.

As Psalm 79:9 pleads, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.”

As Isaiah 52:5–6 declares, “My name continually every day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name.”

Nehemiah’s cry to build is a call to worship, a call to return, a call to live again as a people set apart for the honour of the Lord.

Loved ones, do you see how God’s grace enables us not only to see the need but to feel the reproach—and be moved to action?

Do you remember when we studied James? He writes:

“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15–16)

If Nehemiah had only wept, fasted, and prayed over the affliction of the exiles and the broken walls, but did nothing—what kind of faith would that be? Merely external and superficial.

But Nehemiah does not stop with sorrow. He says, “Come.”

And likewise, I say to you, beloved: come.

Let us labour together for the glory of God. Let us build—not with bricks and mortar, but in truth and love—for the good of Christ’s church.

Let us come and serve with holy urgency.

Let us come and testify of God’s mercy and grace, sounding the alarm of His coming judgment and eternal wrath—urging our loved ones, neighbours, and community to flee to Christ in repentance and faith, for He alone is mighty to save.

God has called us to serve Him with clarity, urgency, and compassion. And He has given us grace—grace that awakens godly sorrow and fuels holy ambition.

Look at verse 18, where we encounter a pivotal phrase in Nehemiah’s theology:

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me…”

“The hand of my God”symbolises divine power, favour, and providence. This is not mere circumstance—it is grace in motion.

The phrase “which was good upon me” (טוֹבָה עָלַי – ṭovah ʿalay) expresses God’s active favour. Nehemiah attributes every success—the king’s permission, provision, and protection—not to his own wisdom or effort, but entirely to the gracious hand of God.

He doesn’t just talk about God’s grace in vague or abstract terms—he gives them real, concrete evidence. Look at the middle of verse 18:

“…as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me.”

Even the support of a pagan king was part of God’s plan. Nehemiah helps the people see that everything—even what the king said and did—was God’s doing.

The king’s favour wasn’t luck or coincidence. It wasn’t because the king was merely trying to protect his empire from western threats. And it wasn’t Nehemiah’s charm or wisdom.

It was the clear hand of God at work—moving hearts, opening doors of opportunity, and placing everything and everyone in the right place, at the right time, to accomplish His will.

And here's the key application: How can you know the will of God? How do you discern His calling in your life? This passage offers one of the clearest examples in Scripture.

God’s will is not confirmed by our feelings, impulses, or assumptions.

Rather, when God calls—whether to a task, or even to regeneration, justification, sanctification, or glorification—He supplies confirming evidences: the sovereign hand of providence, open doors, necessary provision, and wise leadership all come together under His direction.

Loved ones, listen carefully: A grace-shaped calling is both bold and humble. It does not point inward to self-confidence, but upward to God’s faithfulness.

It steps forward not because we are able, but because He is with us.

Look at the end of verse 18:

“So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”

That’s not just a response to good leadership—it’s the fruit of divine grace. The verb “strengthened”(חָזַק – ḥazaq) is often used in covenant contexts to describe a Spirit-empowered resolve. It means they were gripped with courage and determination that didn’t come from themselves.

And what were they strengthening themselves for? A “good work” (מְלָאכָה טוֹבָה – melakah tovah). Not just a construction project—but a God-appointed task.

It’s the kind of “good work” Paul speaks of in Ephesians 2:10—works prepared beforehand by God, that we should walk in them.

This is what happens when God’s sovereign hand moves. He doesn’t just open doors—He moves hearts. He doesn’t just call us—He enables us.

His grace is irresistible because it transforms the will. It gives new desires, new courage, new strength. We don’t act in obedience to earn His favour—we act becauseHis favour has been poured out.

Notice—there’s no hype. No emotional manipulation. No lights or stirring music. Just the faithful witness of God’s grace. And that was enough. That was what stirred the people.

God’s grace doesn’t merely invite us into the work—it empowers us for it. And when His hand is upon us, we find ourselves strengthened, not because we’re strong, but because He is. And just as the people prepared to build—the enemies appeared.

Sanballat. Tobiah. Geshem.

Three names that will shadow this work from start to finish.

And yet—even here—God is not absent. He is not shaken. He is sovereign not only in the calling—but even in the conflict.

Let’s look now at our third point:

3 God’s Guarantee in the Opposition (v19-20)

Nehemiah 2:19–20

19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

20Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Look at the actions of the opposers: “They laughed us to scorn, and despised us...” (Nehemiah 2:19).

This is not harmless heckling. It’s strategic, sinister mockery—an attempt to silence and shame God’s people before a single stone is laid.

The Hebrew words tsāchaq(צָחַק, “to laugh”) and lāʿag (לָעַג, “to scorn”) paint a vivid image of enemies standing tall with sneering pride, belittling and ridiculing the very idea of faithful obedience to God.

This isn’t just laughter; it’s weaponized contempt.

And this mockery is nothing new. It’s the same ridicule the righteous have always faced.

Psalm 123:4 laments, “Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.”

2 Chronicles 36:16 recounts how they “mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words...”

At Calvary, Luke 23:35 says, “The rulers also with them derided Him...”

It’s a pattern: the world mocks what it fears. When the people of God begin to move, the enemy laughs—not because the work is foolish, but because it threatens the status quo.

Mockery is the opening weapon of the enemy—it plants doubt, isolates, and undermines faith by questioning loyalty: “Will ye rebel against the king?”

But notice when the mockers appear: it’s the moment God’s people begin to move. Their opposition isn’t a sign of God’s absence—it’s often the clearest evidence that He is at work.

I love Nehemiah’s response in verse 20. He doesn’t engage in debate or self-defence. He doesn’t wave around his letter of royal approval. He doesn’t rely on his military escorts to silence his opposition.

Instead, Nehemiah models where true strength lies: “The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build.”

Nehemiah doesn’t appeal to earthly authority—he appeals to the King of heaven. The word prosperhere comes from tsālaḥ (צָלַח), meaning “to cause to succeed, to push forward.”

God Himself guarantees the success of the work—not Nehemiah’s skill, not the people’s strength, not favourable conditions. God.

And yet, God’s sovereignty doesn’t cancel human action—it energises it. “We His servants will arise and build.” Nehemiah’s faith fuels obedient action. The work moves forward not because it is easy, but because God is with them.

Then, with prophetic clarity, Nehemiah draws a sharp line in the sand—a boundary that cannot be crossed. Look at the end of verse 20: “But ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah is not just brushing them off; this is a decisive declaration rooted in covenant identity.

These men have no portion—no share in God’s inheritance. Jerusalem is not theirs; it belongs to the covenant people, and they are outside it.

They have no right—no standing in God’s law or authority. They cannot appeal to God’s law or the king’s decree.

They have no memorial—no place in God’s spiritual history or future. They are cut off—not just from present involvement, but from any lasting legacy.

Nehemiah says, “You do not belong to this people, this work, or this God.”

This is a bold confrontation. Allowing those who oppose God to join His work invites compromise and corruption. Nehemiah shuts the door.

The walls will be rebuilt—but not with unclean hands or uncommitted hearts. The work will go forward—but not with those who mock His name.

The enemy has spoken. They’ve mocked, scorned, and drawn their lines in defiance of God.

But Nehemiah draws a deeper line—cut with covenant conviction: “You have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”

This is more than exclusion—it’s a declaration of holiness. God’s work is not for the unrepentant. His promises are not for the proud. His name will not be mocked.

And yet… the people have not yet lifted a stone.

The question lingers in the dust: Will they rise and build? Surrounded by ridicule and threat, will they trust the unseen hand of the God of heaven? Will they give themselves to the work, knowing the cost? Or will they retreat—quietly, fearfully—letting the laughter of the wicked drown out the call of their King?

That tension remains.

The question is not just for them. It is for us:

Will you remain among the mockers—those who scorn and despise—or will you repent and enter the city of the King?

Christ was mocked and scorned for you. He bore your sin outside the walls of Jerusalem so you could be brought into the eternal city.

You may have no portion today—but you can receive one through the gospel. You may have no rights, right now—but Christ will clothe you in His righteousness. You may have no memorial—but Jesus grants you a name written in heaven.

So come. Repent. Believe the gospel.

Repent of your sins. Trust in the crucified and risen Christ. The God of heaven will receive you. But you must come. Today is the day of salvation.

Church, let this be your resolve: “We His servants will arise and build.” Build your life on His Word.

Build your home in godliness.

Build the church in service.

Build the kingdom through witness.

Serve the Lord with joy. Worship Him with zeal. Labour for Him with faith.

This is not a time to be passive. The enemy laughs. The world scorns. But God is stirring His people to rise again.

So do not shrink back. Do not be silenced by the scoffers.

Let your heart cry today: “I am His. I belong to this God, this people, this work. And by His grace, I will arise and build.”

Let the walls rise again—not with stone, but with hearts surrendered to the Lord. Hearts that love His name. Hearts that cannot be bought by praise or broken by mockery. Hearts that serve—not because the enemy is gone—but because our God is with us.

And if He is with us—who can stand against?

Conclusion Application

Prayer

Gracious and Almighty God, You are the God of heaven who strengthens and sustains. You are faithful to Your covenant and unfailing in Your purposes. We thank You that You have called us—not because of our strength, but because of Your grace.

Not because we are worthy, but because Christ is worthy.

Lord, like Nehemiah, give us eyes to see what You are rebuilding, and hearts to join You in the work with courage and conviction.

Let us not be shaken by the scorn of the world, nor swayed by the fear of man, but anchored in the unchanging truth of Your Word.

Teach us to draw lines where You have drawn them— to guard the holiness of Your work and to refuse compromise with anything that opposes Your name.

Help us, Father, to arise and build— not with stone, but with surrendered hearts. Hearts that belong wholly to You. Hearts that cannot be bought, silenced, or divided.

Make us faithful servants—steadfast, obedient, and humble.

And when the enemy speaks—when mockery rings loud— remind us that You are with us.

That Your hand is upon us. That no opposition can overthrow what You have ordained.

So we rise, Lord. We build, Lord.

Because You are our God, and we are Your people. Strengthen our hands for the work. Sanctify our hearts for the task.

And be glorified in every stone laid, every prayer offered, every life surrendered.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone of our faith, Amen.