Nehemiah, Day 3
Nehemiah 6 – 7
So the wall was finished . . .
“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:15 – 16).
In Whitehall, there is a building that is going up and it is a mystery about what its purpose is going to be. Amy and I have scoured the Internet trying to figure out what the new building is going to bring to the township. We are still looking for clues to get to the bottom of the mysterious new building.
In the book of Nehemiah, we are immediately clued in to the new rebuilding project from the moment he becomes emotionally and spiritually invested in the broken-down walls of his home, Jerusalem. From hundreds of miles away, Nehemiah pleaded with God for the opportunity to restore the walls of Jerusalem and God heard him. In fact, in the first few chapters, we are informed that God provided through every step of the process. These steps included giving Nehemiah a sabbatical from being cupbearer of the king to a new position as head of the rebuild from the most powerful man in the world at that time in history. This project was going to be an extreme makeover that would lead to a strong wall and encouraged people.
This construction project was daunting to begin with, but the oppression from many dangerous and divisive enemies made its completion even more miraculous. Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the surrounding nations, were motivated adversaries, but God provided the wisdom for Nehemiah to handle the situations that were presented to him. Nehemiah’s responses in these crucial moments provide insight into effective leadership under fire.
In Nehemiah 6:16, the response of their neighbors to the completion of the wall is recorded by Nehemiah. He communicates three responses to their success: there was fear, they were disheartened (humbled), and they recognized the hand of God in accomplishing the project. God had revealed Himself in such a powerful way their enemies could not ignore it.
What a testimony these historical moments are for the people of Israel! It was mission accomplished! In this season it seems like oppression surrounds us. However, as we walk as the people of God, we can break through the oppression as we focus on our mission. As we engage each other and other people God puts in our path with grace and truth, we are part of the rebuilding process in their lives. My prayer this week is that we accomplish our mission together by building the message of the Gospel into people’s lives.
The book of Nehemiah shows us the power of people focused on mission. God called us all to a mission as we await His return. Pray this week for God to keep your focus on the mission we have to help people see the availability of God’s mercy and grace that can transform their lives:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19 – 20).
Pastor Chuck