Nehemiah 2:16-18

Nehemiah 2:16-18 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. Nehemiah was a wise man. He didn’t tell anyone what he was up to until he had the time to assess the situation. When Nehemiah came into the area of Jerusalem, he waited until dark. Then he secretly went out to survey the city and the damage that needed to be repaired. The next day, Nehemiah developed a plan. Only then did he tell the Jews his plan. He told them that he had the king’s blessing and that there were unlimited resources available. The Jews got excited and replied, “Let us rise up and build!” The work began before Sanballat and Tobiah hasd time to discourage anyone. But they didn’t give up. But neither did Nehemiah. he had the king’s permission and God’s direction. He was in a good place.