So Nehemiah finally gets to Jerusalem and begins his life’s work, rebuilding the wall of the city, and what happens?  First the naysayers show up.  Enemies of God’s people, those who would prefer to keep them quiet and controlled, begin to ridicule the project, telling them they are too weak and unskilled to complete such a task.  Clearly an attempt to break their spirit.  Yet, the work continued and the wall began to take form.

But of course, enemies don’t give up that easily, and so Sanballat and his followers decide to use a more direct approach, physically attacking and threatening those working on the wall.  No longer was it just honor that was at risk, now their very lives were in danger.  Once again, Nehemiah could have backed down, but instead he redirects, instructing some to stand as guards and watchmen while others continued on the work, now not just with hammer and chisel, but with sword in hand as well.

Still, all is not calm in Israel’s camp.  All of the work and sacrifice was taking its toll.  Families were going hungry, Homes were being lost.  The wall was going up, but the spirits of the people were being torn down.  This is perhaps where we witness Nehemiah’s heart the clearest.  He could have told them to suck it up, hang in there, trust God, but instead he demonstrates commitment, depriving himself and his men and even inviting those suffering to eat at his table.

We could learn so much from this cupbearer to the king.  So much about following our Lord, about staying the course and about living truly sacrificial lives; for his story really is the story of all of us who chose to follow our King on such a great adventure.

The naysayers tell us we are unqualified, unprepared and hopelessly doomed to failure.  Even if they don’t say it to our face, we feel it in their stares, or imagine it in those dark places that too often our foe takes us.  And then there are the attacks.  Oh, the barrages can be ceaseless: financial challenges, relationship conflicts, health issues, our enemy really knows no bounds.  The daily struggle can tear even the mightiest of men down, and our work on the wall can be at risk of abandonment as we run for cover, for some type of reprieve.

But it is when all hell breaks loose in camp that we most lose heart.  Satan has a way of slowly wearing down our patience with those closest to us, and as their need become overwhelming, our mission can be in imminent danger.  Fatigue, frustration, fear, they build up like a mountain on our shoulders and even the simplest of tasks seems impossible.

I wish there were an easier way, but there is not.  The wall, our faith, is opposed at every corner, and more is coming as Nehemiah soon discovers.  But restoring the wall, restoring our faith, is crucial … and the reward will be great.  I love Chapter Three. It recounts how each man was responsible for just a portion of the wall.  You don’t need to do it all, and there are others who are also working; just understand that you are needed, that each brick that you lay is progress.  Join us, join me, and together we will rebuild the walls of our faith.

To the King,

David