I have a friend named Nehemiah who received devastating news. “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.” His hometown was destroyed and his countrymen were hopelessly in peril. (It would be akin to Brooklyn being completely obliterated and my relatives and friends scattered and disgraced.)
How did my friend respond? He grieved in mourning for days, fasting and praying. Not super-abnormal but the next thing he did was. “Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands…I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.” It’s common to use “we” when we want to be credited for something good but use “you” or “they” when distancing ourselves from something negative or displeasing. Nehemiah said “we” have acted corruptly. He included himself in his people’s unfaithfulness because he recognized he was unfaithful too. If we’re honest, we can learn from his selfless prayer.
Nehemiah went a step further and used his considerable influence to do a work that others may have only thought of but no one cared to do. “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” He got letters of recommendation, financial backing, and resources for the building project, all in an effort to please the Lord. I’m sure we all know someone who has access to resources but would never lift a finger to help another. Hopefully we know someone who has such resources and favor and would gladly help others in need.
Despite constant threats of violence and death, Nehemiah kept building. Can you identify that someone in your life who is content with never seeing you succeed or grow beyond where you are? The crab in the crab bucket so to speak? Maybe there is a “building project” in you somewhere waiting to come forth.
Nehemiah further impressed me by exhibiting a unity rarely seen in today’s times. They protected each other, kept eyes on the prize, and remembered the “why” with a sword in one hand and a hammer in the other. “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.” Although spears and shields were present, this battle was one of a different sort. Choose your fights wisely. They won’t all be physical in nature.
While building, Nehemiah found out that those alongside him were presently enslaving their own kinfolk with debts, taxes, high interest, and other heavy burdens. Thankfully, this was quickly corrected and repented of but had this hypocrisy not been exposed, who knows how the project would’ve been affected! We need to be very careful about who we align ourselves with and who fights alongside us!
Some day, you’ll be tasked with a life-changing, generation-altering work that benefits others more than it does you and “they” will try to get you to put down your tools and put down your sword and come down off that wall. They may want to harm you, distract you with something easier, or stop you out of jealousy. Tell them “Oh No!” like Nehemiah did. “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
Don’t drop your tools to build and your sword to fight. We will definitely need a heart after the Lord’s to do either effectively and with any significance.
Mirror Time with Mr. Yu 