From the Apostle's Pen

Highlights from the Transformed Life Part -3 Beginning with the End in Mind - Goal Setting

By Apostle Joseph Hobbs, Th.D.
Neh 2:2-8

Neh 2:2-5


Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it. (KJV)


"Our lives should be seen as gifts from God laden with opportunities to do great things for God." - J. Hobbs


Too often we are slaves to the rhythm of another drum major. If we have no purpose in which to pour our energies, our talents, and our treasures into our lives will be mundane and boring. If we have no specific goals, we will oftentimes get swept up in the streams of another persons dreams.


Every person no matter who they are or what they have been given to do by God, needs to set, and attempt to reach some particular goals in life. Goals are necessary in order to maintain focus, clarity, and to achieve the fulfillment of our purpose in life.


Every goal for a child of God must begin and end with God. In order to do anything of value in life we will need the purpose, the power, and the presence of God to complete our goals and ambitions.


Nehemiah's goal began to correct the distorted image of his beloved Jerusalem. After he hears of the conditions of the walls of Jerusalem he grieves for he longs to see it returned to its former state. In order to set a goal for the walls repair Nehemiah needs a revelation from God which will serve as the image of what is to come.


I. Nehemiah Fasted Because He Needed God's Grace (Favor) (cf. Neh. 1:4-6).


To serve the king with a sad countenance was taken as an affront to the king and could be punished by death. Nehemiah needed God to move upon the king's heart. The king represents earthly governmental authority.


A. Nehemiah fasted and prayed to be heard by God on high. (cf. Isa. 58:6, 8-9).


B. Nehemiah repented and reminded God of His Word. (Neh. 1:8-9).


C. Nehemiah understood that he needed the favor of the king. (Neh. 1:11; Provo 16:7,21:1).


II. Nehemiah Submitted Himself to Earthly Authority (Neh. 2:1-5).


Each of us needs an image of the promise of God in our hearts, that we might have a reference point of focus in difficult times.


A. The image of a rebuilt Jerusalem was the goal of Nehemiah


1. After God's grace is granted we need an image (vision, revelation) of the completed project. This is often referred to as a blueprint.


2. Nehemiah petitions the king


3. Nehemiah receives the permission of the king.


a. Nehemiah also receives the provision of the king. The king not only permits him to do the project, he funds the project. There are monies available to us to complete our life's mission we must courageously seek to find it. (Neh.2:6-10).


III. Nehemiah Needed a Realistic Examination of the Goals That He Hoped to Accomplish


A. Nehemiah's examination ofthe wall was an assessment of his goal. (Neh. 2:11-16).


B. Written goals will help you stay on course when opposition to you plan


comes, and it will come!


1. The builders of the wall experienced a variety of struggles along


the way.


a. You must plan for the struggles in order to defeat them


when they come.


b. Nehemiah encouraged the people to trust in the Lord. (Neh.4:13-14).


C. He divides the people into two groups one group will


work on the project while the other guards them.


1. You will need companions in your life that will serve as intercessors while you work on the vision that God has given to you.


2. Covenant partners are necessary to the completion of the work. You cannot expect to do it alone.


IV. Because Nehemiah and the Children ofIsrael Stayed Focused on the Project They Completed it In Record Time


A. The wall was completed in 52 days. (Neh. 6:15-19).


B. The fulfilment of our God-given dreams and goals will serve to frustrate the enemy. (Neh. 6:16).


C. Stay focused on what you plan to achieve


B. Just do it!