Nehemiah’s journey had been over two months and now he arrived into Jerusalem. Along the way, he was protected by the army of King Artaxerxes. He presented letters to the governors along the way and to the keeper of the king’s forests to provide him with the needed timber to build the wall. (Nehemiah 2:8). Many who opposed him heard of his plans and were angered. The wall would be a renewed symbol of strength and God’s protecting hand of grace upon His people. Despite the opposition (many proclaiming themselves worshippers of God) having halted the building project through their letters to King Artaxerxes many years earlier. Remember it was this same king who decreed all building to cease. (Ezra 4:21-23). Now with letters to proceed, accompanied by the king’s army; Nehemiah entered the city. What is the significance of a wall to protect?
Upon his arrival, Nehemiah waited three days. Most likely, days spent in prayer and surveying the skills of the people. He did not tell them of his plans to rebuild the wall. Then, after three days he went out at night to survey the project. Riding a donkey, he surveyed the ruins; developing a plan. There was an area so covered with debris it forced Nehemiah to dismount; because, the donkey could not walk through. Imagine the size of this project. However, as a leader; Nehemiah developed a plan for the building. He knew God could complete the work; no matter, how difficult or impossible it appeared. God is a God of the impossible: after all, it was God’s Grace that had brought him to this place at this time to accomplish this plan of building the wall.
WHY BUILD A WALL?
After he surveyed the wall, most likely considering who would be needed for each part of the project; he was ready to present his plan. He gathered together all the people and said:
“Then said I unto them. Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then, I told them of the hand of my God which was good unto me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So, they strengthened their hands for this good work” (Nehemiah 2:17-18).
“First he challenged them to notice their deplorable circumstances, which had brought them trouble and disgrace (cf. 1:3). Then he challenged them to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and followed his challenge with a personal testimony as to how God’s gracious hand (cf. 2:8) had granted him favor before King Artaxerxes. 1
The wall was needed to protect them from their enemies, to be a reminder of God’s grace toward them, and to protect them from evil entering their cities and their hearts.
DO WE NEED A WALL?
Isaiah foretold of the people’s cry, “the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14). To this God replied:
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make hast; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of (go away from) thee (Isaiah 49:16-17).
Just as the wall was needed to protect the nation; we need a wall about our heart. We need a wall built by God through diligent Bible Study, prayer, and communion with God. As Chuck Swindoll wrote in Hand Me Another Brick:
“Quite frankly, I think the walls of our lives often lie in ruins through neglect. The leader who brings us to rebuild the walls is the Holy Spirit, and it is He who continues the work of reconstruction inside us. He tries His best to bring to our attention the condition of our walls, but sometimes we don’t hear what He is saying. We are not hard of hearing; we simply don’t listen.
Some of you are living within the walls of your life surrounded by ruin, and it all began very slowly. First there was a loose piece of stone or mortar. Then there was a crack that appeared in the wall. And then it broke into pieces, and there was a hole. Because of further neglect, the weeds of carnality began to grow through the wall. By and by, the enemy gained free access to your life.”2
REBUILDING YOUR BROKEN WALL
The only way to rebuild and maintain the wall you need to survive in this journey is daily bible study and prayer; before, the cracks can grow in our heart. How quickly we proclaim, “I don’t have time. Or, I am in just a different stage of life. Other excuses, I just can’t concentrate.” Then, we wonder what happened when our life lies in ruble around us. God has promised to protect us, “thy walls are continually before me.” Although, Jerusalem’s wall was in shambles; because, of their allowing so much evil and idolatry to enter their city, their nation, and their heart. Still God sent Nehemiah to rebuild the wall.
God has sent the Holy Spirit to maintain and to rebuild that wall to protect your heart; but, you must heed His call. You must set aside a time for God every day. Set your alarm a little earlier, just to be with God. Study His word. Spend time with Him in prayer; because, He is the treasure you seek.
OPPOSITION TO BUILDING A WALL
Oh, there will be opposition. Some will say you are ritualistic and God hates ritual. Ah, but you see a habit is not the same as ritual. Many years ago, due to a chronic illness awakening me with pain; I was forced to get up early. That was when I began spending those early hours studying and reading my Bible. Those hours in His Word and in prayer were what carried me through an impossible time.
Today, I still get up early every morning; because, I know I can’t face the day ahead without Him. Furthermore, He is the strength, the hope and the protector I need. I know how easy my heart can be swayed to pride, self-exaltation, sorrow, depression and sin; if I neglect time spent with Him. Therefore, I must arise early each morning to be with Him; because, I cannot survive without Him being first in my life.
Nehemiah’s opposition protested immediately, proclaiming that he was going against the king. His answer?
“The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore, we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:20).
So, when Satan tells you that you don’t need to get up early to be with God; remind him, he has no place reserved for him in heaven.
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]When Jerusalem needed a wall to protect them; God sent Nehemiah, a layman[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]We need Bible Study prayer and time with God each day to protect our heart[/tweetthis]
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
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1 Gene A. Getz, “Nehemiah”, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty-Old Testament, eds. John F. Woolvard and Roy B. Zuck, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2004), 677
2 Chuck Swindoll, Hand Me Another Brick, Revised ed., Nashville, TN: Word (A Thomas Nelson Company), 1998, 15
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