Scripture
‘ Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into in a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and 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?
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they become captives in a foreign land.
At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.
Nehemiah 4, 1-6 New Living Translation (NLT).
Reflection
The verses above are taken from the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah saw something in his community/ society which needed to be tackled and addressed. This was in relation to the Jerusalem wall being restored and fully repaired, Our heavenly Father called him to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah had qualities and skills from his job as a government official, which he was able to use/ transfer to fulfil the task God called him to do.
We each have skills and abilities which God can use to fulfil His work in the community.
Some of us may be good at organizing people, good at talking and listening to young people, we may be good with numbers, and cooking etc.
When we make the decision to stand up, carry out work, embark upon a course, volunteer which will ultimately help others, and we step away from the circle we are hanging around in this can sometimes lead to us feeling torn, or pulled into different directions. We may experience a push guiding to use our skills to make life better for others, and carry out what God wants us to do, when we do this we may be confronted by people criticising us and telling us not to do it, someone else does that.
Let us look at the approach which Nehemiah took and take encouragement from this. He persevered and carried out what he was called to do, he realized that there were negative people trying to scupper his task of supporting the builders to fulfil the rebuild.
He prayed to God and he also encouraged those who were doing the work as they were feeling disheartened. His prayers and encouragement to others led to the wall being rebuilt faster than anticipated.
There may be a wall that God may be asking you to complete, or you may know someone or a group of people building a wall, encourage them to support them!!
Prayer
Lord God, I bless your Holy name.
Father, you called Nehemiah to fulfil the major task of rebuilding the Jerusalem wall.
I pray that the people who read this scripture are encouraged to carry out the first steps to restoration in their own lives. Father God help them in rebuilding their walls within their own circumstances, walls which will not isolate them but Lord to restore and strengthen them.
Help them not to feel discouraged when criticism and negativity occurs. Help them to understand that you are with them always and I ask that with your presence you can aid them with bricks of peace, confidence, hope, and patience which can be placed in and around them to help them fulfil the tasks you want them to complete, which will ultimately give you the glory and honour. I ask this in the name of Jesus.
Amen