Nehemiah…
Every once in a while (maybe for some folks more often, but for me it’s once in a while) something from the Bible so resonates that I keep going back.
The book of Nehemiah was like that for me over the past month. (reading assignment, if you’d like. Nehemiah is only 13 chapters long and if you’re like me, you’ll breeze over the “census and genealogy” part)
Nehemiah is considered one of the “minor prophets”, but was vital in the beginning of the “second temple” period. What I thought was one of the most interesting things is that the book was written in first person, from the prophet’s own view.
And it’s quite a story.
There are many “most important” things – what spoke to me personally is that Nehemiah saw a need (the walls of Jerusalem were in shambles) and he took it upon himself to make sure they got fixed. There were men who tried to stop him, but Nehemiah stuck with it. Through lies and intrigue and false prophets and ridicule, Nehemiah kept on. The first part of the book reads like a spy novel I keep reading it!
In the end the Jews were so determined to build their wall that they did it! Today, Israel is contemplating building a wall around Jerusalem – thirty-two miles. Nehemiah built the wall in 52 days. Imagaine, even today, building that wall in 52 days, much less doing it without power tools, bull dozers, electricity and gasoline! That is determination in doing the Lord’s work.
I asked myself, how can I apply this today? Can I apply this today?
Ask these questions
- Is the Lord asking you to do something?
- How hard is it going to be?
- Is there anybody who will try to stop me?
- What will my answer be?
As I read the story of Nehemiah and the wall yet again, I’m struck again by the determination to follow through. I pray that when I am faced with difficulty that I will persevere, as Nehemiah did.
Is there anything in your life today that reminds you of Nehemiah?
I adore Nehemiah. I even love the lists, because they remind me that we all have our part, some smaller, some bigger. Maybe I will try to take a moment and revisit that book. I also often have to recall that sometimes we have to work with one hand on our sword (of the spirit.) You notice that they didn’t hold sheilds, they held swords.
I love the way when God wants something done, it gets done. In China, Christians are horribly persecuted and forced to meet in secret, yet the Gospel is spreading like wildfire, an out of control revival the government CAN NOT STOP. Yeah, that’s my God! I’m not sure what my Neamiah project might be, but it’s good to think about. Thanks
Never had the opportunity to do a thorough study on Nehemiah. Thanks for the reminder.
Ellen,
I love Nehemiah! I have not read this story for a long time. Need to pick it up again. Thank you!! Be blessed, Lynn
Yes, the Lord appears to be asking me to do something and while it will be unbelievably hard, I will forge ahead and not lose track of the end result, no matter how difficult it may be. I know He will not abandon me, therefore, nothing shall get in my way.