Devotionals Detail

Reading: Nehemiah 2:17-20

How does God give us “success?”

It’s a question I’ve been pondering a lot lately. Does it look like success in human terms: prosperity through financial wealth, good health, meaningful careers, happy relationships, popularity? Even, dare I say: a large church?

When Nehemiah believes God has given him a vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he says that God will give him success. The root Hebrew word “yasliah” means “he will succeed” or “he will prosper.” It connotes the idea of moving forward to thrive or even rushing forward powerfully. Though Nehemiah does get the Jerusalem wall rebuilt in 52 days, leading to a spiritual reformation and the Festival of Booths of the people, Nehemiah’s story ends in a way that I would not describe as prosperous.

In fact, at the book’s conclusion, all of Nehemiah’s hard work of reformation and change are for naught. The people have gone back to their ways and have not been transformed at all by his actions. Nehemiah’s response is violent: beating men, throwing out belongings, even pulling out peoples hair – definitely not a sign of a successful man! It seems Nehemiah has based his definition of God’s prosperity inappropriately. He finds it isn’t about the building a wall, or about what he can force people to do in obedience, or even changes he makes to the laws. Until the people’s hearts are changed towards God, all of Nehemiah’s markers of prosperity are void.

It appears to me that God’s definition of prosperity has more to do with how our hearts are transformed towards deeper obedience and faithfulness, rather than any external sign of success. So, if we are defining prosperity in God’s terms, perhaps the question is:

How is the success of your heart transformation?