Despite verbal attacks from their enemies, it seems that these insults didn’t have their intended effect on the Israelites rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. Rather than being discouraged, the Israelites were motivated to rebuild the wall, and it got to the point where there were no more breaks in the wall, and it was at least half-way rebuilt.
So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
Nehemiah 4:6 NIV
https://nehemiah.bible/nehemiah-4-6
So, where do followers of Jesus get inspiration today, when a sinful world attacks them? When it seems like the resistance against righteousness is so great, what encourages us to keep at His work with gusto? Like Jesus Himself, we have access to a lot of resources, including:
- God’s promises. He has told us about Himself, and what He has planned for the future.
- God’s faithfulness. His record in keeping His promises is perfect, both in the past and the present, which gives us confidence for his promises that remain to be fulfilled in the future.
- God’s power. As the sovereign creator of the Universe, God has no difficulty reaching into this world and taking action in it (regardless of the limitations that we have as human beings).
- Other Christians. God didn’t adopt each of us into His family as an “only child”. There are others who can provide a listening ear, encouragement, and tangible support.
- Evidence of God’s support in a project. When it has already been clear that God is taking us in a certain direction, we can rely on His continued guidance to keep it going as long as He chooses.
I suspect that Nehemiah and the Israelites of his era sought encouragement in most – if not all – of these types of support.
Getting the wall built up this far was a good thing, but in Nehemiah 4:7-8, the opposition (which seems to be even larger than it was in previous descriptions) was “very angry”. Rather than just a war of words, they plan to take military action.
So, in Nehemiah 4:9, it’s back to calling upon God, but this is combined with practical action. The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” isn’t part of the Bible, but people who ask for and receive God’s help in the Bible are often a part of the solution that He provides. For instance:
- God parted the waters of the Jordan River, but expected the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to stand in it. (See Joshua 3:7-8)
- Jesus healed 10 lepers, but they were expected to start heading to the priests. (See Luke 17:11-19)
- …and, you may be able to think of other examples, as well.
At this point, though, in Nehemiah 4:10-12, the people are discouraged. It’s one thing to start a project when it’s exciting and everyone is ready to go. Even finishing a project is satisfying. However, in the middle of a project, the participants can get tired, and the fact that there’s still a lot of work to do can be discouraging. At this point (whether building a wall, or just finishing a project), teams need some help.
In this case, I think that the people are also scared. Children might be fearful of monsters under the bed or in the closet, but these Israelites have actual nations plotting to attack them! This is a tangible threat, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem would still remember that their city had been sacked not that long ago, so an invasion from outside was not unprecedented.
Have you ever been to that point, where you say, “I just can’t do it”? I have. What do you do next, when you feel like you can’t go on? Or, if things are going well for you personally right now, what would you say to someone who says to you, “I just can’t keep going”?
Here are some ideas:
- Find encouragement in progress that has been made. To paraphrase the saying, “Half a wall is better than none”.
- Find inspiration in looking ahead to the finish line. God has shown us how good will eventually triumph over evil, not because good people just worked really hard to overcome evil, but because God Himself will deliver His people.
- Find comfort in knowing that God can help when we can’t. When we have reached the end of our own abilities, we have no choice but to trust God to carry us forward.
- Find help through others working towards the same goal. God called a lot of people in the Bible to team up with others. Even in a culture that values independence, we might need to humble ourselves enough to accept help from other people who have been called by God to work together with us.
- Or, consider a change in the plan, if that’s what God reveals to you when you seek His will. I’m not suggesting that you arbitrarily give up, but there are times when we must set aside the status quo, and step out into the next phase of God’s plan.
In the meantime, though, keep doing what He has called you to do. I know that it can be tough to roll out of bed some days, especially when you dread what awaits you, but with God’s strength, keep following Him, one day at a time (see Matthew 6:33-34).
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 12, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, February 12, 2023, © 2022 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Ezra-Nehemiah, by Keith Schoville. © 2001 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 