Nehemiah 7:5
So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. I found the genealogical record of those who had been the first to return. This is what I found written there:
New Living Translation
So my God gave me the idea to call together all the nobles and leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration. I had found the genealogical record of those who had first returned to Judah. This is what was written there:
Every great thing begins as an idea. All of us have tens of hundreds of ideas. The difference between successful people and others is that successful people go beyond the idea and try it out. Successful people fail many times as they try various ideas until one works. Other people are too critical, rational and they think too much and never act on the idea.
The idea is best when it is hot. When we delay acting on an idea, it loses its hold on us and weakens and becomes unimplementable when eventually we are ready. An idea delayed from implementation is an idea killed. Nothing begins without an idea. When an idea comes, act on it. If you fail, you have learned something. You will fail many times. Treat failure as normal. When an idea comes, write it down and act. Any further assessment and rationalization is a sure way to make sure the idea will never see the light of day. Act on your ideas!
What doesn’t begin as an idea? Everything sets off as an idea. Marriage was once an idea. The course of study was once an idea. Your profession was once an idea. Your revival and reformation spiritually was once an idea. It all begins with an idea. Ideas are critical in leadership and personal lives. If you run out of ideas, you are finished and you need to move to something else that inspires ideas in you. If you want to know when to change your business or employment, assess whether you still have ideas. No ideas mean no inspiration. Whatever you do there is no longer worth it. Find inspiration or move on. Ideas are critical for proper performance.
If ideas are this critical for our success at work, in business, and in personal life, we need to know where to get good ideas. We need to know where is the source of worthwhile ideas. The source is important when our ideas keep failing, we need a good source. The source is important if for some reason we have run out of ideas. Our text today tells us that God can actually give ideas.
Nehemiah had rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem and he had very few people living in the city. A low population paused a risk of easy invasion. Nehemiah had active enemies who wanted the walls broken and the city uninhabited. As he was wondering what to do to populate the city, he tells us an idea came from God. A very good idea that he registers everybody afresh including those living in the villages outside the city. That registration will now give a basis for determining who comes to live in the city. This great idea came from God. My God gave me the idea!
We learn several things. First is that if we serve God, He will keep giving us ideas. God can give ideas is an important lesson. During an exam, we need an idea and the entire answer will pop out. God gives ideas. As we plan to go to further studies, we need ideas of where, how, and when. As we plan another source of income, we need ideas. As we struggle with health issues we need ideas. As we wish to have a life partner, we need ideas. In marriage, we need ideas for better things. Point number one is that God who gave Nehemiah ideas can still give you an idea. My God gave me the idea!
Secondly, Nehemiah acted on the idea from God. When the idea came, Nehemiah acted on it. He called leaders and immediately started the registration process of the people until an old record emerged and made the situation better. The second point is that ideas should be worked on. If you do not act on an idea, you have committed the worst mistake possible. You have defied God who gave the idea. You will achieve nothing and go nowhere. Act on ideas. My God gave me the idea!
Act on that further education idea. Act on that business idea. Act on that relationship idea. Act on that idea to grow spiritually. Act on that idea or else you have wasted yourself and the opportunity. It is better to act and fail, than not to act at all. My God gave me the idea!
Thirdly, is that God’s ideas can be sufficient in themselves or they lead us to better situations. Nehemiah wanted to register people afresh. That was the idea from God. When he began the process, a past and very helpful record emerged and it significantly helped them. God’s idea led Nehemiah to a better solution that solved his crisis. God’s idea was not final, but it led him to a better final solution. The third point is those good ideas can lead you to better ideas. Better ideas can lead you to excellent ideas. God still takes the credit because the idea that triggered the process was from God. Nehemiah does not praise or mention whoever came with that old registry since he has already credited God with the good idea. An idea is not just good when it solves a problem, but also when it leads you to a solution.
This job can give you experience for a better job. This business can give you connections for a much more profitable business. This relationship will end shortly and with some pain, but it is the one that will cause the right person to notice you. This prayer and Bible study for personal good will lead you to be an effective preacher yet that was not the initial goal. God gives ideas that are sufficient in themselves or they lead to better situations. Do not fail to act on an idea because it looks insufficient for the problem at hand, it could be leading to the real solution. Just act on the idea at hand. My God gave me the idea!
Dear God, I am sorry for the many ideas you have given and I have been reluctant to act on them. Forgive me, LORD. I pray for ideas today and for strength and courage to implement them immediately. I need ideas for my spiritual life, for my health, for my source of income, for my studies, and for my relationships… Give me ideas LORD, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Amen
Amen
Amen.
Thank you pastor and God bless you.
Be blessed too!
I pray God, that you may give me an idea. More importantly, the strength and courage to act on it.
Amen and Amen!
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
AMEN
Amen
Amen. Thank you Pastor. Dear Lord give me ideas LORD, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Amen!
Amen,
Amen
Amen
Amen