I get by with a little help from my friends.
Oh, how true that is –
We're not supposed to live this life on our own. Of course, we have God with us, every step of the way. But we also have each other.
Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" comes from the book of Nehemiah.
I just love it when God brings me a message in the middle of the Old Testament.
I found the verses He had led me to, but I read the chapters before to get some background information.
Jerusalem lies in ruins. The exiles have returned to their land, but it is in a decimated and ravaged condition.
But God laid a message on Nehemiah's heart – He told him an audacious plan. He wanted Nehemiah to rebuild…
So, in the middle of the night, Nehemiah snuck out with a few other intrepid souls, to inspect the broken walls and burned gates of the city. Rubble was everywhere…
But Nehemiah did not see the impossibility in the ruined heaps –
Because he had heard the Voice of the One who could turn it into a "Him-possibility." And now, in the quiet, wee hours of the night, he whispered to those few souls surrounding him…
"Psst. You know very well what trouble we're in. But God has spoken to me. Let's rebuild the wall and end this disgrace!"
And I just love how the friends replied…
"YES! Let's rebuild the wall!"
So they began the good work…
No hesitation, no doubting, no committee meeting, no vote – unbridled enthusiasm and God-sized faith.
And boy oh boy – did they get busy!!
The entire 3rd chapter of Nehemiah is a listing of people who worked –
a Who’s Who of some of the faithful…
…each one working on "their section" – taking care of their responsibility.
Now Sanballat was very angry about this.
Sanballat was the governor of Samaria. He may have hoped to become governor of Judea as well, but Nehemiah's arrival spoiled his plans.
Listen to his rant – "What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they're doing? Do they actually think they can make something out of stones from a rubbish heap – and charred ones at that?"
Well, yes – evidently that's exactly what they thought – because God was with them.
Today’s "Bible Pick 'Ems" comes from Nehemiah 4:4-6:
"Then I [Nehemiah] prayed, 'Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their heads…for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.' At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm."
Friends, we are the Body of Christ – we are the builders. And we must work with enthusiasm and dedication.
We must work without fear –
We must work side by side, determined…each doing his or her part.
The enemy will be outraged by this – (isn't that kinda motivation in itself?!)
He will mock us – but He will not stop us.
Let's get out there and work on our section of the wall – doing what God has called us to do – our part. We’re working next to each other, alongside our brothers and sisters…
…and we have God with us, every step of the way.
Are you guys with me?
What "impossible" task is God asking you to get to work on?
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Love this, Sharon! It makes me think of two current things in my life this week. One is the fact that one of our brothers at church - a builder - is organizing a roofing party complete with hospitality to replace our roof and rotting boards that the Lord allowed us to realize was an acute issue a week after losing my job and having no way to pay our way to replacing such an important homeowner detail. For the cost of materials (and the Lord provided the cash for that via donation from a loved one) we are humbly on the receiving end of a building project that was impossible one day - but for the Body of Christ acting in community.
ReplyDeleteThrough this experience, the Lord's new directions for me as a home schooling mentor and tutor, I am now convinced that I am to rip up my rates and fees sheet and conduct my freelance "business" as a ministry - love offering only and only as the Lord puts on your heart. Thereby, the Lord alone will set my wages.
Leaps of faith, both - and, yet, so freeing! I have never felt so giddy and light-hearted! He has removed my need to be producing income - and has heightened my desire to be out-going with my giftings at a level I have only dreamed of. But, He has made my dreams come true!
Thankful for the backside of the desert I've been on career wise these past three years. Couldn't have gotten to this place of rebuilding the Temple apart from some tearing down.
Joy to you!
Kathy
I'm with you, Sharon! We need to remember, like you said, we are only responsible for own "part of the wall". Nothing less, nothing more, but we need to be consistent in our building of it! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeletebetty
Awesome reminder.
ReplyDeleteThat's the key. God was with them, and He's with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder.
Blessings,
Charlotte
I love this story. (I think I say that about all the stories in the Bible!) We lose so much by trying to come up with the "how" instead of jumping in and actually doing it. My favorite word here is "Him-possibility." I'll remember that!
ReplyDelete