Challenge Accepted
Challenge Accepted
When a Challenge Finds You
Have you ever had someone say, “Do you do anything for birthdays? We’ve got a birthday boy here”? Most of the time they’re angling for a free dessert. One time, the servers came out, put a huge sombrero on my head, sang a song…and that was it. No fried ice cream. No churro. Just the sombrero.
Getting free food on your birthday has actually become a “thing.” One man in Los Angeles claimed he could get 38 freebies on his 38th birthday. His friends said, “No way,” and he replied, “Challenge accepted.” So he spent weeks signing up for rewards programs, mapping routes, and planning his big day. He started with free coffee, then donuts, then breakfast, then burgers, tacos, sundaes—you name it.
By the end of the day he didn’t get 38 freebies, he got 40. Ten free drinks, twelve entrees, fourteen desserts. Conservatively, he consumed over 12,000 calories…and paid for it later. But he met the challenge.
In Scripture, we meet another man who accepted a challenge—but his wasn’t about free food. His challenge would help change the trajectory of a nation. That man is Nehemiah.
We’ve just walked through the book of Ezra, where God moved in His people during a dark season. Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed, and God’s people were taken into exile in Babylon for 70 years. Then, in stages, they began to return.
Under Zerubbabel, they returned and rebuilt the temple — a process that took about 22 years.
About 57 years later, under Ezra, another wave returned. Ezra’s ministry focused on renewing the spiritual life and identity of the people.
Now, 13 more years have passed, and a third wave is about to return—and this is where Nehemiah steps onto the scene.
The temple has been rebuilt, but something significant is still missing: the walls of Jerusalem. For about 150 years those walls have lain in ruins. In that day, a city without walls was vulnerable, exposed, and constantly at risk. Nehemiah knows this isn’t right. God’s city, and the place of His temple, should not be left defenseless.
He looks at all that needs to be done and, in his heart and spirit, essentially says: “Challenge accepted.”
From Nehemiah, we learn a pattern for facing God-sized challenges in our own lives:
Pray boldly. Plan wisely. Persevere courageously.
1. Pray Boldly
As the book opens, Nehemiah is still in Persia, in the city of Susa. He’s not just living nearby—he lives in the palace. He serves as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, the same king who previously allowed Ezra to return to Jerusalem with silver, gold, and materials for the temple.
Being the cupbearer was a high-risk job—he tasted the king’s food and drink to guard against poisoning—but it was also a high-trust role. The cupbearer had regular access to the king and often functioned as an advisor and confidant. God had placed Nehemiah in a significant position.
One day Nehemiah’s brother Hanani arrives from Judah with some men, and Nehemiah asks about the Jews who survived the exile and about Jerusalem. The report is grim:
The remnant is in great trouble and shame.
The wall of Jerusalem is broken down.
The gates have been burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:1–3).
Nehemiah is crushed. He doesn’t shrug it off or say, “That’s too bad,” and go about his business. Scripture says he sat down and wept and mourned for days. He fasted and prayed before the God of heaven (1:4). There are a lot of ways he could have reacted—anger, fear, discouragement—but he goes straight to God.
And notice how he prays. He doesn’t start with, “Lord, fix the wall.” He begins with who God is:
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God…”
“Who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments…” (1:5–6)
Nehemiah reminds his own heart of God’s character and God’s promises. Then he moves to confession:
He confesses the sins of Israel.
He includes himself: “Even I and my father’s house have sinned.”
Nehemiah doesn’t come presumptuously. He doesn’t ask God to bless the people while they remain hardened in rebellion. He understands a crucial pattern:
Repentance before request.
He knows God is full of steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. But he also knows that it is as the people humble themselves in repentance that they experience the fullness of God’s mercy.
That pattern is still critical for us today. So often we come to God wanting His blessing without His lordship. We essentially pray, “Lord, bless me in my sin,” and then we’re surprised when He doesn’t. Nehemiah knew better than to presume on God’s grace.
We see that his prayer isn’t a one-time emotional outburst. He prays “day and night” for the people (1:6). He keeps coming before God, boldly and persistently. Finally, in verse 11, his prayer begins to sharpen into a specific request:
“O Lord…give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (1:11)
“This man” is the king. Nehemiah senses that God may want him to step into this challenge—but he still begins with prayer, not a plan.
Before Nehemiah ever raises a hammer, he raises a prayer.
What This Means for Us
When God puts a challenge in front of us—a broken marriage, a struggling family, a persistent habit that needs to be confronted, a step of obedience or ministry we’ve been avoiding—the first step is not strategy. It’s not gathering resources. It’s not even asking, “Who can help me?”
The first step is to pray boldly:
Remember who God is.
Confess where we’ve walked away from Him.
Seek His leading before we set out on our own path.
If God doesn’t go before us, there’s no assurance that we’re actually walking with Him at all. We may be running hard down a path He never called us to.
Every God-honoring challenge begins with bold, humble prayer.
2. Plan Wisely
Nehemiah chapter 2 opens several months later—in the month of Nisan. Roughly four months have passed since Nehemiah first heard the news and began praying and fasting. For all that time, the burden has been simmering in his heart.
One day, while serving the king, Nehemiah’s sadness shows on his face. That alone is risky—being sad in the king’s presence could be seen as disrespectful. But the king notices and asks, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?” Nehemiah explains that it’s because Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.
Then the king asks him the pivotal question: “What are you requesting?”
Nehemiah offers up a quick prayer in his heart, and then he answers honestly:
“If it pleases the king…send me to Judah…that I may rebuild it.” (2:5)
He doesn’t stop there. He asks for letters to the governors of the region for safe passage. He asks for timber from the king’s forest for the gates, the wall, and even his own residence. He has a specific, thought-through plan.
Verse 8 says:
“The king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.”
Nehemiah doesn’t take credit for himself. He knows the favor of the king is ultimately the favor of God. The “good hand of God” is what makes this possible.
But that doesn’t mean the road will be smooth. Verse 10 introduces two names that will come up again and again: Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite. They are greatly displeased that someone has come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
Nehemiah finally arrives in Jerusalem. He doesn’t immediately announce why he’s come. Instead, he goes out at night and inspects the walls for himself (2:11–16). He needs to see:
Where the damage is
How extensive it is
What will be required to rebuild
You cannot plan wisely if you won’t face reality honestly.
Only after seeing it with his own eyes does Nehemiah finally gather the priests, officials, and leaders and share the vision:
He tells them about the broken walls.
He tells them about the king’s favor.
He calls them to rise up and rebuild.
Their response in 2:18 is powerful:
“Let us rise up and build.”
And they strengthen their hands for the good work. It’s the theme verse of many building campaigns—and for good reason.
Of course, Sanballat and Tobiah mock and oppose the effort. Nehemiah answers them with confidence:
“The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build…” (2:20)
Nehemiah has prayed boldly. Now he plans wisely and leads courageously.
Working the Plan Together
As we move into chapter 3, Nehemiah’s plan comes to life. The chapter reads like a construction roster:
Different families and groups are assigned specific sections of the wall.
Priests, goldsmiths, perfumers, rulers, and common laborers all take a portion.
The work is happening simultaneously all around the city.
Two things stand out.
Everyone Has a Part
This is deeply collaborative work. Their success depends on everyone doing their part. If someone slacks off or fails to build their section, it will show—a gap in the wall, a point of vulnerability. The same is true in the church. It’s as if the ministry God has given us is a great wall surrounding a city, and each person stands at a portion with work to do.
If some don’t engage, there will be gaps:
Students who aren’t discipled
Kids who aren’t cared for
Needs that aren’t met
Opportunities that pass us by
Not All Roles Are the Same—But All Are Vital
Not everyone in Nehemiah’s day is doing the same kind of building. Some oversee, some carry materials, some repair gates. The roles are different, not unequal.
In the church:
Some are gifted to teach or lead.
Some are gifted to serve behind the scenes.
Some can invest in students, nursery, or kids.
Some can play instruments, run tech, or welcome people with a smile.
We’re not all called to the same ministry, but we are all called to some ministry.
Maybe right now, in our own church, there are students hungry for Jesus but we still need a few more adult leaders to walk with them. Maybe there’s a worship team that could use your musical gifts. Maybe there are kids who need someone to show up consistently and love them in Jesus’ name. Even the ability to smile and welcome is a ministry.
Nehemiah models what it looks like to plan wisely and place people where they can make the greatest impact. That’s what we long to see in the church as well—that everyone finds their spot on the wall.
3. Persevere Courageously
Praying and planning are essential, but they won’t mean much if we give up at the first sign of trouble. Nehemiah shows us what it looks like to persevere courageously.
Battling External Opposition
In chapter 4, Sanballat and Tobiah return—this time in full mocker mode:
“What are these feeble Jews doing?” (4:2)
“If a fox climbs on their wall, it will fall!” (4:3)
They begin with ridicule and jeering. Why? Because if the enemy can get into your head—if he can stir up fear, doubt, and discouragement—that can be more effective than a physical attack.
Nehemiah doesn’t take the bait. What does he do? He prays again (4:9). And then he keeps the work going.
As the threats escalate, he gets even more strategic:
Half the men work, while the other half stand guard.
Some hold weapons in one hand and tools in the other.
Trumpet signals are put in place so they can rally if attacked.
Nehemiah refuses to let opposition stop the work. If you remember, in Ezra the rebuilding of the temple stalled for years when opposition arose. Nehemiah is determined not to repeat that mistake.
When you hear voices—whether from others, from the enemy, or from your own doubts—saying, “You can’t rebuild your life. You’re too broken. You’ll never change,” Nehemiah gives us a pattern:
Pray.
Stand against the lies.
Get back to work.
Confronting Internal Compromise
Opposition doesn’t just come from outside. In chapter 5, trouble comes from within. Wealthy Jews are exploiting their own people—charging interest, taking fields, even enslaving their fellow Israelites.
Nehemiah confronts them directly:
“The thing that you are doing is not good.” (5:9)
He reminds them that their behavior is undermining their witness and threatening the work. God’s people are called to support and strengthen one another, not use each other for personal gain. The same is true today. When we hurt or undercut each other, we weaken the ministry God has entrusted to us.
Staying Focused on the Call
By chapter 6, the wall is nearly complete. The enemy shifts tactics again. They invite Nehemiah to a “meeting” in a nearby village—an invitation masked as diplomacy but designed as a trap.
Nehemiah’s response is one of the most memorable lines in the book:
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” (6:3)
He knows his calling. He refuses to be distracted, manipulated, or intimidated away from it. That’s perseverance.
When they send an open letter full of lies—accusing him of rebellion and self-serving motives—Nehemiah prays again:
“But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” (6:9)
“Lord, keep me strong. Don’t let the detractors win. Keep the work moving forward.”
And the perseverance pays off:
“So the wall was finished…in fifty-two days.” (6:15)
That’s astonishingly fast. It took longer to build the local Dairy Queen than it did to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall! And the surrounding nations recognize what’s happened:
“…they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” (6:16)
Everyone can see it: this is God’s work, done through God’s people, by God’s power.
Beyond the Wall: A Deeper Rebuilding
The story doesn’t end when the last stone is set.
In chapters 8–10, Ezra reappears. He reads the Word of God to the people. As they listen, they are cut to the heart. They repent, worship, celebrate, and renew their covenant to follow the Lord with all their hearts.
The rebuilding has moved from the wall to the people. The Word of God is doing His deeper work in them.
This reminds us: there is never a point in our spiritual lives when we outgrow the need for repentance and renewal. When we stop recognizing our need for it, that’s evidence of just how much we do need it.
If we try to live the Christian life while starving ourselves of God’s Word, we will eventually fall. Perseverance isn’t just about finishing external projects—it’s about continuing to walk with God day after day, anchored in His truth.
Chapter 11 details how the city is repopulated.
Chapter 12 describes the dedication of the wall—with choirs singing atop the wall, worship restored, and the sound of enthusiastic thanksgiving rising from Jerusalem. What a scene that must have been!
Then comes chapter 13, and we’re reminded that perseverance must be ongoing. Nehemiah has returned to Persia for a time. When he comes back, he finds:
Compromises in worship
Intermarriage that leads hearts away from God
Neglected tithes and spiritual apathy
So Nehemiah confronts these issues and calls the people back to faithfulness. The message is clear: we never “coast” our way into spiritual health. There are too many forces, inside and out, that pull us away from God.
We are not helpless slaves to sin—but we must be intentional if we want to persevere in righteousness.
Challenge Accepted
In our pursuit of Christ and His purposes, we will face obstacles:
Voices of discouragement
Circumstances that threaten to derail us
Temptations to compromise
Fatigue that whispers, “Just quit”
Nehemiah gives us a pattern for overcoming:
Pray boldly. Start with God—His character, His promises, and honest confession.
Plan wisely. Face reality, seek God’s direction, and take clear, thoughtful steps.
Persevere courageously. Expect opposition, resist distraction, confront sin, and keep going.
Nehemiah’s words echo across the centuries:
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”
If you belong to Jesus, you are called to nothing less than God’s great work—in your home, your workplace, your ministry, your character, your church.
So when God puts a challenge in front of you—whether it’s rebuilding something broken, stepping into a new ministry, or pressing on in faith when you’re weary—you can look at it with confidence and say:
“Challenge accepted.”
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Nehemiah
Sermon Title: Challenge Accepted
Date: Nov 30, 2025
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Nehemiah 1-13
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