An Ordinary Man (Nehemiah 1-2)

The Wisdom Journey with Stephen Davey

How does God rebuild broken things—and who does He use? The opening chapters of Nehemiah provide a powerful answer. God used an ordinary man with no royal lineage, no priestly background, and no public ministry. His name was Nehemiah, and he was the cupbearer to a pagan king.

In this episode, Stephen Davey introduces us to Nehemiah—a man whose heart was broken by the news that Jerusalem’s walls were still in ruins. Though far from home, Nehemiah immediately turned to the Lord in prayer. And his prayer provides a pattern for our own—a path that includes recognizing God’s sovereignty, confessing sin, trusting in His promises, and humbly making our requests known.

Stephen also shows how Nehemiah waited for the right moment to speak up, risked his position to obey God, and encouraged others to join him in the work. Despite fierce opposition, Nehemiah pressed forward with courage and confidence—not in himself, but in the God of heaven.

This episode will encourage you to trust God’s timing, respond to His call, and remember that no one is too ordinary to be used by God. It’s not about your résumé—it’s about your readiness.

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Stephen Davey's newest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback