y Provide Leadership to Heal the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Nehemiah; Strategist and Builder

He provided leadership and direction. He provided selfless leadership, not leadership for personal gain.

God instructed Nehemiah to rebuild the broken down walls of Jerusalem after a period of waiting in God in prayers and fasting. Having received uncommon divine favor from God to access the required resources for the tasks ahead, Nehemiah went to Jerusalem; probably accompanied by some Jews and friends.

Quite significant and instructive is the fact that he did not share what God instructed him to do at Jerusalem with anyone immediately. They had been there three days, yet he kept mum. Even when he embarked on the surveillance mission at night to inspect the walls, he was taciturn. Not a word to anyone, not even the priests, nobles, local officials or anyone else he would partner and work with.

Also significant is the fact that he embarked on the mission at night – so as not to call attention to what he was doing – inspecting the wall to ascertain extent of damage. That way, no one knew what he was doing or what he was up to. It was only after he had a clear idea of the extent of damage and the volume of work required for damage reversal that he called a meeting of potential stakeholders and told them why he was in Jerusalem; albeit what had to be done and the favor and support he had received from the King.

The potential stakeholders were impressed and gave him their full support. That commenced the rebuilding of the broken down walls of Jerusalem albeit amidst fierce opposition by those who hated the Jews – led by Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem. Nevertheless the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt because Nehemiah provided leadership, drawn from God through his fervent relationship with God.

Secondly, the people had a mind to work because God made them willing – Psalm 110 – your people shall be willing in the day of your power. God energized and strengthened them to work.

Leadership is not competition; it is not rivalry; it is giving divine direction to the people of God so that the people who know their God can do exploits at all times. Most times, people assume that leadership is lording it over people but the truth is that leadership is to provide direction. Jesus Christ gave the perfect example when He said that leadership is service - service to humanity – teach the people what to do; direct them on where to go; instruct them on how to do things and give them the space they require to do what they have to do with zero to minimum supervision. Leadership is not a show off of power, money and influence. It embodies humility and a willingness to teach and correct in love.

Provide Leadership to Heal the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

 Hezekiah’s Strategy

Quite significant, instructive and strategic is the fact that Hezekiah did not have access to or owned the military, numeric, economic or political might of the Assyrian King, Sennacherib. Even the military chieftain of the Assyrian army known as Rabshekah attested to this fact when he sarcastically asked Hezekiah’s men if they could find two thousand men to place on two thousand horses that they would gladly give Hezekiah. Please read Isaiah Chapter 36 verse 8.  So in terms of numeric strength of soldiers, as well as weapons for warfare, Judah had none and Hezekiah did not pretend that he had anything anywhere. Therefore, looking at the facts on the ground, Judah had absolutely no reason to defy Sennacherib. Yet Hezekiah chose to defy Sennacherib and urged his people to do so. Why?

Hezekiah trusted in God and chose to use the truth of the word of God that never fails; that always accomplishes divine purpose against Sennacherib and his conquistador army. Even the Rabshekah warned Hezekiah that Hezekiah’s words were no match for his weapons. Please read Isaiah Chapter 36 verses 4 to 7. Not surprising! The Rabshekah was ignorant of the truth of the word of God; coupled with the great power in the word of God. He did not know that the word of God is God; and because all power belongs to God (Psalm 62); the word of God cannot and does not fail.

Significantly, Hezekiah did not call a press conference to address the press about what the Rabshekah said. Neither did he call a national executive committee meeting. He did not also call a town hall or community or national meeting.

Hezekiah, fasting went to the temple of God and prayed. He also sent the three representatives to the prophet Isaiah to report what the Rabshekah said. Hezekiah had hardly finished from the temple waiting to get feedback from the three representatives sent to Isaiah when Sennacherib sent a new message; this time a handwritten letter. After reading the letter, Hezekiah again acted in the area of his strength. He went to the temple and spread the letter out before God.

Wise Women, Strong Women, Strong Nations 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The brave, beautiful and courageous mother of Moses, Jechobed also falls into this category of women. For three months, she successfully hid her son Moses from not only Pharaoh and his children murdering army but also her neighbors. She kept sealed lips and even when she strategized on dropping Moses off at the river, she kept sealed lips. Only Miriam, also schooled in keeping secrets was privy to what she was doing which explain why Jechobed took Miriam with her to the river. Jechobed’s discreet use of her tongue also helped to keep her son safe.

Esther the queen was wise and strong enough to obey her older cousin Mordecai not to disclose her race to anyone until the appointed time even when she did not understand why she had to keep sealed lips. As events unfolded, she realized the wisdom in keeping sealed lips.

Beloved, it is not every information about you or family members, institution, community or nation that should be in the public domain. Some information should be kept secret until when God is ready for the information to be made public. If Esther had disclosed her race, Haman would have probably embarked on a campaign of calumny against her and strategized on dethroning her. If Jechobed had announced that she was hiding her son for safety purpose, one or two angry women who lost theirs to Pharaoh’s murderous army would have snitched to the authorities and Moses would have been killed. But because she brought Moses out at the right time in God’s plans and purposes for the young man, God arranged for the Princess to have compassion on him and adopt him. That was also the case with Jehosheba and Joram. When it was God’s time to rid Athaliah and her evil reign of terror from the land, God used Jehoiada, the Priests and Levites to crown Joram as King in Jerusalem. This was of course after the young man, as well as the Priests and Levites led by Jehoiada covenanted themselves to God; to honor and serve God. The coronation was successful, Athaliah was killed and everyone and the city had peace.

Wise Women, Strong Women, Strong Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Jehosheba, Wise and Strong

Jehosheba was the daughter of the infamous and unrepentant King Jehoram of Judah. Quite significant and instructive is the fact that Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat who ruled Judah after the demise of Jehoshaphat. Unfortunately, Jehoram chose to walk in darkness; following in eh footsteps of the Ahab dynasty. He also abandoned the light his father walked in. he killed his brothers the moment he ascended the throne, served idols, refused reproof and correction despite several warnings and catastrophes. Eventually, he died of an incurable disease in his colon. He also suffered loss of children and wives following an invasion of Judah by the Philistines. His only surviving son, Ahaziah took over as King after his death. But Ahaziah also chose to walk in the darkness of the Ahab dynasty and also died young. Quite sad but even more sad was what his mother Athaliah did after his death. Rather than crown one of his sons King, she took over as queen and went on a killing spree – supposedly killing all who could succeed Ahaziah.

But Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba who was the wife of Jehoiada the Priest saved one of the sons of Ahaziah by stealing him and his nurse and hiding them away from Athaliah. So, Athaliah unleashed a reign of terror, unaware that there was a successor to the throne.

Significantly, Jehosheba’s actions were based on the word of God, the precious and faithful promises of God to David that he would never lack an heir to the throne. Please read Psalm 89. So for about seven years, Jehosheba and her husband, Jehoiada nurtured the young Prince Joram in preparation for the throne. They did this quietly and secretly. No one was aware of the fact that any of Ahaziah’s sons was still alive except his nurse. At the appointed time, Jehoiada acted, working in tandem with other Priests and Levites to crown the young Joram as King.

Beloved, Jehosheba was not only a godly woman who feared God and honored God; she was a courageous woman. She took a great risk in stealing the young prince alongside her nurse from the palace; a great risk because the blood thirsty Athaliah could have killed her and her entire family if she discovered. But because Jehosheba acted in faith like Queen Esther, God ensured that Athaliah never knew anything about it. God kept Jehosheba and her family as well as the Prince and her nurse safe.