Renewal from Rubble

Read Nehemiah 4-5
 
Nehemiah 4:1-4 Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 2 saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap – and charred ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” 4 Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!”
 
THE nations around Judah and Israel benefited from a ruined, defeated Jerusalem. God’s glory – his power and his rule – had been gone from his city for the 70-year exile and another 80 years of inconsistent efforts to re-establish the city and nation. A strong country was gone. A beautiful city still lay in ruins. The LORD’s people seemed weak and powerless. Surely they would never rise again.
   But wait. What’s that sound In Jerusalem? It is the sound of men and women working to move dirt and rubble. “Do you see that? The walls are going up? What’s happening?” Judah’s enemies – God’s and Nehemiah’s enemies – ridiculed the rebuilding. Surely those weak Jews’ would build weak walls. They were bullies who attempted to make the Jews succumb to ridicule. But the mockers ignored one thing. Judah’s God was their helper. He was their strength. Their trust was in the LORD. Judah’s God was empowering them to build. Judah’s God was protecting them. Judah’s God had given them a vision, leaders and will to rebuild.
   Nehemiah, the good leader, stood in the LORD’s power. “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the LORD, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” God’s leader spoke God’s power into his people.
   It is possible in their heart Sanballat and Tobiah and the others knew there would be no stopping Nehemiah and his people. Nehemiah had authority from the earthly king and the heavenly King. He was truly God’s man, a good shepherd to justly lead.
   One thing we must note: Nehemiah was a warrior. He did not relent. A spiritual battle was raging over Jerusalem. In response, Nehemiah stayed true to God, trusting the LORD of Heaven’s armies to guide his people into this battle. God’s enemies would receive judgment. God’s people would receive reward.
   What’s your story? Are you seeing only a pile of rubble around you? Then believe that you, too, can be a warrior for your LORD. Trust God to lead you to denounce the bully Satan. Rebuild your life Jesus’ resurrection power. Be strong and courageous in the rebuilding. Stand firm against those who will doubt and mock you. There will be many such people. There is much more of God.