Category: devotions

Rebuilding with Nehemiah, Chapter 4, Day 5

Friday: What to do with the Whiners
Text: 12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”[e] 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “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!” (Nehemiah 4:12-14, NLT)

SP Neh 4 frustration wall

They were surrounded. The situation looked and felt grim. And I’m imagining there were many who were feeling hopeless.

So Nehemiah recruited more people to protect the vulnerable spots. And then he called them to remember.

“Remember the great and glorious God who has called you to this task, who has protected you and provided everything you need.”

“And remember why you are doing this. This is no mere exercise in futility. We’re not looking to win a beautification award. No, we are building this wall to protect ourselves and make a better life for our wives and children.”

SP Neh 4 Remember stone

We read the stories in the Old Testament where the people were called to remember what God had done. They rehearsed and reminded themselves regularly. Then when they found themselves in a difficult situation the truth was not a far off concept, but one upon which they could depend.

The same holds true for the writers of the New Testament. Paul was clear on this with the Philippian believers. “It’s no hardship for me to write of these things again,” he told them. He knew the power of remembering what God has done and what he promises to do.

Perhaps you know what it’s like to feel surrounded and hopeless. Remember God. Remember he has called you to the task. Remember he promises to not just give you life, but joy.

WP Neh dev 4-5 thrive

Rebuilding with Nehemiah: Chapter 4, Day 4

Thursday: Prayer and Preparation

Text: 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. (Nehemiah 4:9, NLT)

WP Neh dev 4-4

They prayed and kept on working.

Prayer does not negate our participation.

No one got up from prayer and said, “Okay, catch you guys later. This one’s on God and I’m going home until he comes through.”

Nope. They prayed and then they guarded the city, day and night.

WP Neh dev 4-4 without ceasing

This is what it means to pray without ceasing, and to join God where he’s working.

Put hands and feet to your prayers. Trust God and keep working.

WP Neh dev 4-4 pray anywhere

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 4, Day 3

Wednesday: Enthusiastic Workers
Text: 6 At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm. (Nehemiah 4:6, NLT)

Nehemiah prayed and the people worked and the wall was progressing.

What was it that changed?

It certainly wasn’t Sanballat and his cronies.

And it wasn’t God.

I remember learning early on in my faith journey that prayer changes the one who prays.

WP Neh devo4-3

So what did Nehemiah’s prayer accomplish?

The people who were being beaten down by Sanballat’s ridicule and mocking found the courage to get the task done. They learned that God was still in control, that he had a plan, and summoned up the enthusiasm and energy needed to finish the wall.

Feeling a little short on enthusiasm, courage, and energy? Take God at his word and you’ll find what you need to accomplish what he needs you to do.

WP Neh dev 4-3 we change

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 4, Day 2

Tuesday: Nehemiah’s Prayer
Text: 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! 5 Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.” (Nehemiah 3:4-5, NLT)

Is it just me, or does this seem like a pretty harsh prayer?

We’re not used to praying like this. We’re used to being more politically correct, nice, and benevolent.

WP Neh devo 4-2 impecatory

It might be helpful for us to realize that the type of prayer we have here is similar to the imprecatory psalms. These psalms vigorously call for the judgment of the enemies of God.

Nehemiah’s major concern is the honor and glory of God and the vindication of his people.

You can find other examples of this type of prayer in Psalms 5, 10, 17, 35, 58, 59, 69, 70, 79, 83, 109, 129, 137, 140.

When I consider the vigorous nature of Nehemiah’s prayers, I wonder how intense my prayers are towards those who dishonor God and wound his people.

PRAYER: O God, move me and motivate me to deeper concern and prayer. Amen.

Nehemiah Devotions, Chapter 4 Day 1

Monday: Sticks and Stones
Text: Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, 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?” (Nehemiah 4:1-3)

WP Neh devo 4-1

You remember the old playground saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Who were we kidding?

Words hurt. Being mocked hurts. Being intimidated hurts. Ridicule can be discouraging, disheartening, and defeating.

SP Neh 4 perm damage of sticks n stones

That’s what the Jewish builders faced. Sanballat felt his power and control slipping away so he resorted name calling and ridicule. Thankfully, Nehemiah was ready and was able to rally the people and keep the work going.

Are you facing ridicule and mocking at work, school, or home?

SP Neh 4 mocking 1

Our enemy knows how to defeat us. He knows how to throw just the right words at us, and his attacks are aimed at our heart with the goal of destroying our faith.

We need to keep our eyes on our leader and Lord.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1b-2, NIV)

WP Neh devo 4-1 eyes

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 6

Saturday Repair (to make strong and firm—no quick fix)

Text: The Old City Gate[a] was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. (Nehemiah 3:6, NLT)

Yesterday we considered the rebuilding that took place on the wall. Today let’s think about the repair.

As I read through the chapter I noticed there were many more references to the repairs the people were doing to the wall and gates.

According to Wiersbe, the word repair is used thirty-five times by Nehemiah, and it means “to make strong and firm.” (Be Determined, p. 40)

WP Neh 3-6 no quick fix

So many times we want the quick fix, the easy out. How many times have we seen someone shove things under the bed, or sweep the dirt under the carpet instead of doing the cleaning that really needed done?

The people’s lives depended on the sturdiness of the wall. There was a sense of national pride that infused their work. And a love for and honoring of God.

When God looks at our work, does he see our pride and love for him, or does he see us cutting corners and trying to get by with as little as we can?

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, NLT)

WP Neh 3-6 with all your might

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 5

Friday Rebuild (all materials present in the rubble for the task)

Text: The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. (Nehemiah 3:1, NLT)

According to Warren Wiersbe’s study on Nehemiah, “Be Determined,” the word built is used six times in Nehemiah 3 and it means rebuilt. For this rebuilding no new material was needed. Instead the workers found the material in the rubble around them (Be Determined, p. 39).

How often do we put off doing the work while we wait for what we think we need: supplies, programs, people, funds?

Perhaps we could begin to see progress if we would use what is at our hand.

WP Neh 3-5 what's in your hand

When God wanted to use Moses, the reluctant servant came up with all kinds of excuses. God asked him what was in his hand. It was his staff, until he threw it on the ground, and then it became a serpent.

David defeated Goliath with the smooth stones he had in his pocket.

Jesus fed the multitude with the lunch of a child, five small rolls and two sardines.

What has he given you to use? What’s in your hand?

WP Neh 3-5 use what God has given

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 3

Wednesday Everybody did their part

Text: Read verses 3-15 and note the different groups and gates.

WP Neh 3-3 stone soup

When I was a child I heard Captain Kangaroo read the book, “Stone Soup.” The story became one of my favorites. The message of working together became an integral part of who I am. Nothing gets accomplished when we hoard what we have. Progress is made when we add what we have and who we are to the mix.

Reading through today’s scripture I see this happening.

But not only are the people mentioned building, they are joining. They are working with each other and they are making sure their portions are connecting.

WP Neh 3-3 gift

Today let’s consider what gifts God has given us and how we will share it.

And in case you doubt you have one, Peter assures us that’s not true: God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1Peter 4:10, NLT)

Nehemiah Devotions Chapter 3, Day 2

Tuesday Start with the place of worship

Text: Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel. (Nehemiah 3:1, NLT)

WP 3-2 abandoned church

The work began with the place of worship and with the leaders of worship. God’s people stepped up and started the work.

This may seem odd to our twenty-first century minds when people are leaving the church in droves. Organized religion continues to be ridiculed and left behind as outdated and out of touch. Our rubble is showing.

WP 3-2 rebuilding the church

But the rebuilding began with the priests, and the next words we read are that the people worked with them.

As we read on, we will see there’s a place where each of us can join the rebuilding project. Let’s begin here by asking God to show us what our part is in the rebuilding of worship.

WP Neh 3-2 one in church