Nehemiah on Writing

Nehemiah on Writing
By Dennis L. Peterson

While reading the Old Testament book of Nehemiah recently, I realized that Nehemiah says a lot that one can apply to Christian writing. Nehemiah was the cupbearer of Artaxerxes during the Jews' Babylonian captivity. When he learned of the deterioration of Jerusalem, he became very sad. But he didn't get discouraged; rather, he prayed. Then, when the king questioned him, Nehemiah revealed the reason for his sadness and asked permission to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. The king granted his request and gave him construction materials, letters of protection, and an armed guard. Although he faced problems, Nehemiah achieved his objective of restoring the city. Consider applying the following principles from Nehemiah to your writing.

1. Perceive the Need

If you expect to transform an idea into a published article, story, or book, it must first strike a chord with you personally. Like Nehemiah, you must perceive a need and develop such a burden about it that you must write about it (Neh. 1:3).

2. Pray About It

We're sometimes so excited about an idea that we rush into our writing without seeking God's guidance. Rather, we should follow Nehemiah's example. Before you begin writing, spend time seeking God's face for guidance concerning how to approach your idea, on which market you should focus, etc. (1:4-11; 2:4; 4:4-5, 9; 6:9).

3. Don't Let Your Lay Status Dissuade You

You don't have to be a theologian to write for the Lord. You do need to know enough about your subject to do research on it. If you can't do that, you can always interview people who do know. Remember that Nehemiah was a cupbearer. Peter and John were fishermen, yet they wrote seven books of the New Testament. Writing as an informed, prepared, and God-empowered lay person, you can reach many people whom the theologians can't (1:11).

4. Do Your Homework

Nehemiah didn't jump into the middle of the situation and start making changes. He prepared, and so should we. Study the markets; research your topic; plan your approach and presentation; and craft, revise, and edit your writing. Gathering necessary information and materials, verify facts, and outline your idea. Such tasks are not always enjoyable, but they are essential. (2:12-15).

5. Know When and to Whom to Speak

Although Nehemiah was excited about rebuilding the walls, he was cautious about what he said and to whom he said it. Sharing our writing projects with others can lead to problems. "Gloom and doomers" can discourage us in a variety of ways. Other people can take our idea hostage, pressuring us to do it their way rather than the way the Lord has instructed us. Still others are critics, and their criticism isn't constructive.It's often better not to tell anyone, or only a few trusted friends who have our best interests at heart, until we've completed the project (2:12, 16-18).

6. Give God the Credit

If we begin our project with prayer and bathe it in prayer throughout the process, when we complete the project successfully, we cannot take the credit. Like J. S. Bach, we must conclude "our" masterpiece with the words Gloria sole Dei, "all glory to God" (4:6; 6:15-16).

7. Persevere

From the beginning, Nehemiah faced opposition of various sorts? flattery, ridicule, intrigue, psychological warfare, and even threats of force. As Christian writers, we also face various hurdles designed to prevent our writing successfully for the Lord. In addition to the nay-sayers, doom-and-gloomers, and self-appointed critics, we face our own demons of procrastination, laziness, and physical and spiritual weakness. We face the realities of repeated rejections, interruptions, and temptations of various sorts. Yet, through the Lord's strength, we can persevere (4:9, 17, 23; 6:15).

8. Finish the Job

Like Nehemiah, the successful writer finishes the job. Millions of people have books, articles, or stories in their head or stuffed in a drawer. The problem is that few of them see those projects through to publication. The unsubmitted manuscript in the drawer is blessing, instructing, helping, or entertaining no one. Only the finished job will accomplish its God-given goal (4:6; 6:15). Nehemiah offers some important principles for Christian writers. Take some quiet time soon to read the book from the perspective of a Christian writer. Glean its riches, and see your writing improve!