Rebuilding the Walls - God is for You

Don’t you just sometimes wish things would work out without a 'hitch'. Like, when you decide to diet and exercise; don’t you just wish your cravings and body would fall in line. Or when you take on a family project and goal; wouldn’t it just be nice if everything work out, for once, the way you think it would. Whenever we decide to walk towards ‘better’ the whole world seem to make it their duty to be in opposition. I mean, even the nicest people in your life, your colleagues, your job, everything just seem to push back, and it can be overwhelming. It’s probably the biggest challenge that we can face, when you’re happily walking along and then we have a ‘suddenly’.

Nehemiah had enough foresight to know that he will have opposition. His first request is one of protection and an assurance that he will get where he’s going and have what he needs to complete his task.

^‘Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me. Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.’ (Nehemiah 2:7-9)

Nehemiah reminds me of myself; I always have a plan and know exactly what I need to do to accomplish it. But, both Nehemiah and I know, that a plan doesn’t guarantee that we’ll have no obstacles to climb and that is exactly what happened here. You see, there’s a lot going on around the same time that Nehemiah decides to go. There was this huge discussion about whether the Jews were allowed to rebuild in the first place. His leaders were telling him that they were rebuilding and wanting to overthrow his rule. The Jews told him that they had permission from the previous king and he ordered his scribes to look for evidence. Building was halted until proof could be found. A decree of King Darius finally confirmed it, and the new king reiterated his own support for it, and then only building and restoration continued. Ezra was sent with men and support to complete the work on the temple and to reassure that temple worship would resume. There were a lot of unhappy people and it was in this kind of environment that Nehemiah set of on his journey.

It doesn’t take long for people to notice him, and all throughout Nehemiah’s stay in Jerusalem there’s a certain group of people that make it their life’s mission to be a thorn in his side.

‘When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.’ (Nehemiah 2:10)

They mocked and make fun of Nehemiah’s ambition. They ridiculed the work and attacked their resolve.

‘But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?' Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

This sounds very familiar. Even Jesus faced opposition like this and people asked whether any good could come from Nazareth. When we step out to rebuild brokenness and rebuild our lives after a storm, it doesn’t come without opposition. Opposition in the form of lack, people speaking against you, your own voice in your head which tries to convince you you’re just another failure, job loss, death of a love one, unsettled relationships, all try to discourage you from doing what you know needs to be done. Even the best plans are not immune to it. But Nehemiah did not allow those voices from discouraging him and he answered them saying, “The God of heaven will give us success, therefore we His servants will arise and build…” Let this embolden your resolve today; success is yours – arise and keep building.

Nehemiah did. They started building and because of Nehemiah’s great strategic mind, the build when faster than people thought it would. This angered the opposition even more and they were threatening violence. Still building continued.

Therefore, I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:13-14)

Keep building: with a sword in one hand and another to work. The Word of God is your greatest weapon in times like this. Remember you’re not fighting flesh and blood and you should bring the fight to the devil’s doorstep where it belongs. Don’t focus on the people around you; they’re not the problem. Satan is the one who’s mission in life it to destroy you and to bring you to nothing. Remind yourself that God is for you and He wants to prosper you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He’s your refuge in times of trouble and He will deliver you out it all. Do not neglect the Word for even a moment, especially during times of great change and struggle.

Remember who you’re building for; your family. They need you. They depend on you. You can do this. I know it feels like you just want to fold into a ball and not move anywhere. Dust yourself off. Keep going. Build that wall with everything you have. You’re not alone. God’s favour rests on you. Opposition will come but your success is laying just beyond.

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. (Nehemiah 4:15)

Half the men built, and the other half stood guard. The work was extensive and hard. Everyone was building. They hardly slept, and they didn’t even have time to wash. It was hard difficult work, but they relented not.

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us. (Nehemiah 4:20)

I’m not saying it will be easy, but I know one thing, it’s not impossible and God is for you.

💖Always

Leazille

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Once again, thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you today