Nehemiah 4:1-23
Every once in a while in life, we all reach a point where we are just ready to throw in the towel and give up. We’re tired, frustrated, and exhausted and feel like there’s no use in continuing to try. What sustains us during difficult times is a vision. Businesses and churches have developed mission and vision statements. Vision statements become a reality when we work towards them.
Nehemiah had the vision God gave him to restore the walls of Jerusalem. This story is not about building a wall but about renewing a vision. Nehemiah worked at this vision step by step. He faced a lot of opposition. To accomplish God’s desire for us will require taking steps of faith.
Stand up to the challenge of ridicule (4:1-12). The enemies of Nehemiah cast ridicule upon him, hoping to discourage him and stop him from completing the wall. In the midst of this ridicule, Nehemiah prays. We can turn to God when the attacks come. He will defend us. The result of this prayer was that the people worked even harder.
But, the enemy did not give up and resorted to physical attacks. Again, Nehemiah prays and God answers him with wisdom. Nehemiah drew upon three sources (v 9):
1) He prayed. He began to fight back on his knees first.
2) He strategized.
3) He acted by posting a guard.
God is ready to act and he may require us to step out in faith and use the wisdom he gives us. There is a time to wait and there is a time to act.
But after a while, the people became discouraged again because of the huge task before them. They wanted to give up. Physical fatigue can influence us spiritually. Getting rest is not a sin; it is a requirement. The opposition was having its emotional toll. There was “so much rubble,” the people didn’t know what to do with it. Our lives have too much rubble also. Rubble is anything in your life that keeps you from accomplishing your goals.
What would you do if you were the leader? The strength of a leader becomes evident when the difficult times come. It is during the difficult times when our faith grows.
Be flexible and listen to God’s directions (4:13-14). Nehemiah had to adjust his plan in order to accomplish the vision. Flexibility is very important in ministry. Becoming stuck in a rut or bound by tradition will lead to certain death. Vision is never accomplished single handedly. Nehemiah knew that he could not rebuild the wall by himself. Look at the past see what God has done. Short memories may lead us to rely on our own power and not God. To accomplish great things for God requires that we trust him with our doubts and fears.
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