PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Nehemiah 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble?” (Nehemiah 4:2)
As Jesus followers, we are engaged in a similar effort as the Jews in this story.
We are building a spiritual house, made of living stones (1 Peter 2:4-5).
It often seems like we are attempting to bring stones back to life from rubble.
It is a task that all of us are involved in – every member of the community.
We face ridicule as we do our work, and the results can seem unimpressive.
The enemy taunts me with how weak and pathetic our efforts are.
My strength gives out, and the amount of rubble is too much (4:10).
Can we bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble… NO!
But our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the Lord “who is great and awesome” (4:14).
I have to remind myself of this story when I feel discouraged about our efforts.
I have to work with my armour on (Ephesians 6:10-20), trusting in God’s protection.
The Lord is urging me to keep my confidence in him, despite the taunts and challenges.
He will build his church, and the power of death cannot overcome him (Matthew 16:18).
Can Jesus bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble… YES!
PRAYER
Lord, strengthen my weak heart with your Spirit so that I can work with you with all my heart, armed and alert and confident in you!
“Don’t be afraid of them.” Often anxiety and fear makes the situation worse. Humanly speaking the task that the rebuilders took on was huge – daunting to say the least. Sometime we can feel the same way – how do we take on this challenge – is it possible? The challenges of drug addiction and accompanying homelessness seems hopeless too – but we take our section and do what we can – it will make a difference. Lord help us to identify and do what you would have us do – that we may be faithful even in the small things. Help us also to make choices that are part of the solution – not part of the problem i.e., especially with climate change – use of fossil fuels, conservation, re-cycling etc. I need not fear – I know God can use my efforts – as He does even immeasurably more!
As I read I was impressed with how organized they were. Yes we depend on the LORD but he has given the his people the gifts and abilities for an organized attack against the enemy.
I can visualize this scene, the wall is half built, the rubble is still everywhere, the enemies are so angry and powerful, those we love are in danger and it’s really hard to work with one hand on the work and the other on the weapons, very far from others who are also working on the wall, working around the clock, becoming tired and the rubble from past destruction seems everywhere and we are tripping over it, trying to salvage some of it and barely remembering what the wall did for us in the first place. I am glad for the signal calling us together, to build our resources and our trust. Let me listen for the signal.
Thanks for painting this picture, it helps give context for the challenge of persevering when the situation is overwhelmingly difficult and seemingly impossible!
He is able.
The people were restoring the city. Rebuilding the wall. Do His will inspite of the opposition.
Today I too need to continue to do His work, His assignment for me, rebuilding His Kingdom inspite of the opposition. He enabled His people to complete the task then and He continues to do the same today with His people. I need to go forward in that confidence each day. He enables.
He is able more than able
To accomplish what concerns me today
He is able more than able
To handle anything that comes my way
He is able more than able
To do much more than I could ever dream
He is able more than able
To make me what He wants me to be