Build The Wall

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   Recently I was led through a short study on the book of Nehemiah. What an amazing story! It is easily overlooked, yet it is in the Bible for a reason.  God has lessons to teach us from this book.  The book of Nehemiah is full of fascinating information and lessons for us today.  It is easy to get bogged down reading this little book, because some chapters are simply lists of names or details about rebuilding a wall around Jerusalem. Let's look at a few highlights of this special section of the Old Testament.

1. The passion of Nehemiah for God and his people.

     Nehemiah 1:4 tells us that Nehemiah wept and mourned for days after hearing about the state of the people and the wall in Jerusalem. Are we burdened for our families, our church, our community, our nation with a passion like Nehemiah? The rest of chapter one is Nehemiah's beautiful prayer where he begs the Lord to forgive the nation for turning their back on God. I pray for a passion like Nehemiah for the people around me. 

2. Nehemiah lived in close communion with God. 

    Chapter 2 of Nehemiah tells us how Nehemiah speaks to the King of Persia about going back to rebuild the wall.  Verse 2 says that Nehemiah was very afraid and in Verse 4 it says that Nehemiah prayed before answering the king.  Nehemiah lived his life in close communion with God. Then he was given boldness to ask for a lot from the king. Verse 8 uses a beautiful phrase:  Nehemiah says, "because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the granted all my requests." I pray that I live in such close communion with God that I can say, "the gracious hand of my God is upon me!"  

3.  God wants to Restore

    Now, I did not count this myself -- but I am told that the terms, rebuild, restore and repair are used 40 times in Nehemiah chapter 3!  From reading the chapter, it seems accurate! This tells me that God is interesting in restoring people and relationships to Himself. It is very important to Him!  We should pray for restoration, then be willing and available to act as God directs. 

4. People are important to God

    Throughout  the book of Nehemiah, there are lists and lists of names.  Each one of these people are important to God!  Each one played a role in rebuilding this wall. I have been challenged to see people as individuals that are loved by God. Each one brings a unique ability that God can use to build His kingdom! Praying for individuals, by name if possible, is an exercise that brings great blessing. 

5. Everyone can be used by God!

    God used a perfumer to build one section of the wall!  Chapter  3, verse 8 tells us that Hananiah was a perfumer and was assigned a section of the wall.  Building walls was not his "area of expertise" or training, yet God used him! Verse 12 tells us that Shallum, a ruler in Jerusalem, and his daughters (!) rebuilt another section of the wall.  Working together, these untrained wall-builders accomplished a monumental task.  God equipped them to do what He was calling them to do!

6.  Fight for our families

    Chapter 4:14 is Nehemiah encouraging the people to not worry about the scoffers and enemies of the work.  He encouraged them to "fight for your families."  I was convicted by this.  God does not want us to give our sons and daughters over to the enemy.  We are to fight for them.  Our primary weapon is prayer and this needs to be used!

7.  See what God did!

     Nehemiah 6:16 tells us that everyone around knew that the wall had been rebuilt, "with the help of our God."  What a testimony! The glory was God's alone, and everyone knew it. There was no competition for who did the most or the best work.  Each accomplished exactly what God asked of him (or her!).  I would imagine that the perfumer's section of the wall progressed at a slower pace than the skilled mason's section.  However, without that section, the wall would not have been complete!  It was a crucial segment in restoring the broken wall.  

    In application, we live in a nation full of broken lives and homes.  God calls each of us to rebuild. Each of us is given a section of the wall.  Are we just standing there, cowering at the taunts of the enemy?  Are we afraid to pick up the next stone because the world around us may think we look a little weird? Or are we living in close communion with God, knowing that He will use us to accomplish His purpose if we are faithful to obey? Are we working together, or each seeking our own glory? If we all obediently follow God's direction, He will equip us for the task He has for us and we can look back one day and say, "Look what God did!"  

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks 💓

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