RESEARCH BEFORE YOU SPEAK

• DAY 199
• FAITH FILE: NEHEMIAH
• SCRIPTURES: NEHEMIAH 2:11-17

So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass. So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work. Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach

As we saw in our text yesterday, silence is required when a dream, purpose, assignment, or calling is still in its formative or beginning stages. No manufacturer goes on TV to announce a product they are not 100% sure is a possibility. In fact, they consider it top secret until it is launch time. At that stage where the adverts are rolling out, they have done their research, they have tested it, and most importantly, they have done a market survey to ensure that their new product can be profitable. 

The wise thing to do, when you’re about to enter a new place is to conduct a survey. Go check it out first. whether it is a business opportunity, starting a family, or even a new city. This was what the children of Israel did when God sent them to go and conquer Canaan. They sent spies to survey the land first. And that’s what we read about Nehemiah in our text today. He enters Jerusalem and withholds the purpose of his arrival from both his enemies and his allies. And at night he takes a few people, a controlled crowd, and looks around, to see the state of the wall. He hadn’t been home and he needed to know what he was actually dealing with.

Recently my family moved to a new city on God’s instruction. We have no idea the nature of the work God has called us to do there. Irrespective of how many people we called or the research we did, arriving there was a totally different experience. There were things we couldn’t understand until we got there ourselves. If you skip research or survey, you might destroy your dream before you even wake up to pursue it. 

Start By Praying

For a believer on an assignment, your first survey is prayer. That’s the first place you go to make an inquiry. You may not have the opportunity to go to a physical wall. But you can do it in the spirit, in the place of prayer. Mary asked the angel, “How…?” She was faced with something that no one had experienced before, no physical location, no precedence, nothing. All she could do was ask God. From that question came information and an idea to visit another woman that was in an unlikely situation.

“God, show me what it is that I need to know about this season, this relationship, this marriage, the man/woman, this business partner, this city, this job, or this place. Open my eyes to see what is ahead of me.” We can become to excited or too afraid that we forget to ask and that is dangerous.

Seek Counsel

Another way to research is to seek counsel or advice. Who are you talking to about that divine instruction? There is wisdom that mentorship, advice and counsel from the right person can give you. Use relationships around you as a research library. The bible says there is wisdom in a multitude of counsels. Take what applies to you and discard the rest. But ensure that your advisers or counselors are counseled by God. And check every counsel with God.

Read

Reading is also another way to gather information. What books have you read on the subject? Sometimes, I ask God a question and He leads me to a book. It could even be one chapter He wants to show me. Friends, read.

Beloved, your dream requires the diligence of research. Go around that wall, at night, in silence until you know what you are up against. Then and only then should you reveal your intention. And when you do speak, it should be to those who are called to do that assignment with you. Also remember that when it comes to walking with God, you may not know all the info in your first survey. You have to be willing to ask and keep on asking as you progress.

Take a moment to pray now and ask God to show you what you need to know and to guide you every step of the way. In Jesus name

Shalom