DON’T skip this…this is so huge! And I think you will be greatly encouraged.
This post is burning its way onto my keyboard. My discouragement this morning fanned into flames of triumph as I felt prompted to read Nehemiah, and the story of the stone wall.
In light of the uncertainty and fear we face as a nation, it’s easy to throw our hands up. But, there is an answer! The same one Nehemiah called the children of Israel to…I want to quote a few parts from this incredible story…I hope it excites you as it did me!
Preface: The Jews were living in utter despair in Jerusalem as the wall had been broken down, the gates burned with fire, and the people left merciless at the hands of the enemies on every side. They felt hopeless and utterly vulnerable.
(I woke up this morning saying, “What can one person, one family do?” The answer lies just ahead–keep reading!)
Nehemiah, when informed of the state of his father’s homeland
“sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven”. And I said:
“Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive…I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying,“If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them…I will gather them and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.”
Nehemiah recognized why his nation was in such straits, humbled himself and got serious about seeking the Lord’s face. (Stay tuned for an invitation post to join us in a day of fasting and praying for our country.)
So he begged the king to let him go to his country to rebuild the wall. And at the inspiration of Nehemiah, because “God had put it in his heart“, he rallied the people to begin rebuilding the wall.
Here’s the good part…they rebuilt it, one section at a time, family by family. The whole third chapter names each family that built its part, little by little. No one had the stamina, when they looked at all the ruins, to start building on his own. But when everyone got busy doing what they could do–what was in front of them, the wall went up, little by little!!! Let me say it again, “ONE FAMILY AT A TIME!”
It’s not over…
“But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious, and mocked the Jews….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?”
“Hear, O our God, for we are despised;…
So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”
They were determined, resolved and focused. They were going to build the wall.
So the enemies got together and conspired to attack the Jews, so that they wouldn’t be able to finish the wall. And then they became discouraged. Judah said,
“The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall…and our adversaries are going to come in and kill us!”
“So 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 said,
‘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.’ “
…”Those who built on the wall…loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.”
Is that not great!
And the best part of all…
Nehemiah said,
“The work is great and extensive, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.
Our God will fight for us.”
More to come on HOW we can “rebuild the wall” one family at a time. Offer your suggestions too!
10 comments
YES! I was recently posting a similar thought on individuals taking personal responsibility and return Him to the throne in our own homes.
Perhaps it doesn’t save our nation from hard times but maybe He will choose to be merciful to those of His children who return to obedience before the storm breaks.
Good, good, good! The only thing we really have control over is ourselves and our families. We have to start with ourselves first.
This was a good post. I saw many similarities between Nehemiah’s day and ours. The main point that drew my attention was that no matter what happens, we need to be focused on what God calls us to do regardless of the circumstances. We have to continue forging ahead and complying with His glorious will, which can sometimes be difficult to do, especially during difficult/scary times.
That is wonderful Kelly…thank you for the encouraging words. Looking forward to more!
Nehemiah is one of my favorite books in the Scriptures. There is so much to learn in there! One nugget after another! I agree with Civilla; I cannot make decisions for my neighbors, families, or friends, but we can make those hard decisions within our own home.
Those who still have children at home can disciple, disciple, disciple day in and day out, including leading them in hiding the Word in their heart.
We personally also put a lot of emphasis on Christian heroes of the past and the persecuted church of today to help them realize that the compromises in the church they see around them should not be normal. (Sorry, I am getting off track.)
Looking forward to hearing more on Nehemiah! 🙂
Right on Sister, let’s keep diggiing in the Word. It is so easy to forget as American’s that there are Christ’s people everywhere under horrible persecution and trial. Our finances get touched and we all (including myself) get freaked out. There are billions who have NEVER had it so good. Kwim! And yet they obeyed and served Their Lord with all they have. God isn’t only with us in plenty He is with us in the famine He sends, In the war He allows, in the trouble He allows. He is with us, we just have to worry about being with Him.
Many Blessings 🙂
Ace
I have never commented before because, well, I just am not even remotely as eloquent as you are, Kelly. But, this post just so encouraged, refreshed, inspired and plain fired me up that I had to comment. Right after I read this post my husband asked me to read a Psalm before the older 3 (we have 8) went off to bed and I asked if I could instead read Nehemiah. WOW!! Have not read this in awhile. At the part where it records all the families building back the wall I looked up the word “built” in the Strongs and it said “to build, OBTAIN CHILDREN, make, repair, set up”. YeeHaw!! Makes sense – in order to build you need builders. Also, after each family group the word repair was used and the Strongs definition “to fasten upon, to seize, be strong, courageous, STRENGTHEN, CURE, HELP, REPAIR”!! My, oh, my this has lit a fire in me!! I have really slacked off in having families in our home for fellowship because with lots of littles I am tired BUT…this is it folks. We need to be about the business of strengthening and encouraging one another to keep about the work of the LORD. Encouraging young families to love children and have children, to lead and love these precious warriors to fear GOD and keep HIS commandments. Forgive me for the length of this comment – I guess I have made up for all the times I wanted to and never did. Well, gotta run and plan a fellowship dinner!!
EXCELLENT Post! Beginning Nehemiah today and linking to your site. Not sure what role Christians will be called to after the election but what is for certain there is strength and safety within our nuclear family and the Lord’s family. Soon enough we will see where the wall is to be built. My husband and I were just talking about a day of prayer and fasting for the election and the US. All of us blogging should notify our readers when the date is set. May the Lord multiply the efforts of your hands this week — so you can keep posting!
Terri–I’m so glad you decided to comment–it was truly encouraging to read your passion!
I agree with the family fellowshipping too–discipliship in the home, one family guiding another or vice versa…it does tak a little planning, but if we view it as an important part of the Great Commission, well then, it’s worth every minute!
(The Nehemiah passage made me ponder the body of Christ analogy throughout Scripture as well.)
Thanks!
Judy…we are fasting this Wednesday…I may do a separate post about it. I had thought the same thing–imagine a massive day of fasting and praying throughout our blog community?!