“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Nehemiah 4:9).
Mike is a friend of ours who teaches Masonry Construction Technology at the Stevens College Of Technology in Lancaster. I visited with him after church this last Lord’s Day and encouraged him in his work. He would like to see more young people interested in his program and the attrition rate of students dropping out is higher than he would like. We discussed the need for young people to learn a trade and work hard. As a business chaplain I observe this is a growing problem. Young people need to recognize the dignity of work and the blessing of working hard and living responsibly.
We recall sharing Scriptural principles with Mike and JoAnna around our dining room table 11 years ago during their pre-marital counseling. At that time I drew an analogy from his trade as a stonemason and bricklayer to that of building a strong, lifelong marriage one brick at a time. Over the years those single bricks become solid layers with the Lord Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone. Today’s Scripture verse suggests a cooperative arrangement of faith and action that applies not only to marriage but many issues of life. In fact there’s an application for each reader.
The setting for the book of Nehemiah takes place during the rebuilding of the long neglected walls of Jerusalem after the return from the Exile,“which had been broken down, and its gates which had been destroyed by fire” (Nehemiah 2:13b,14). These walls were vital for security reasons. They had been destroyed by the Babylonians some 150 years earlier.
As with any major endeavor those with a heart to move forward in obeying God usually face opposition. Are you facing any opposition today? If so, you’re in good company with many other believers who are engaged in conflict with the spiritual forces of evil.
The specific opposition in today’s passage was led by an “interesting” character by the name of Sanballat. This pesky fellow was persistent and creative in opposing the advancement of God’s work! Perhaps he earned the unenviable title of “Mr. Discouragement.” It seems that he gained many followers in his attempt to foil God’s plan of rebuilding the ruined walls. Unfortunately some of his descendants remain to this day such as Danny Defeatist, Helen Hindrance, Oliver Obstacle, Patty Pessimist, Fanny Fatalist (you get the picture). We mingle with them regularly and we must be on guard or we will join their ranks.
In the immediate context of today’s verse the opposition was threatening a physical attack, but there are many ways we will be opposed; if not in the physical, the spiritual. Paul reminds us that there is much unseen by the naked eye, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12,13).
Nehemiah writes about his God-given vision that included faith, prayer, sacrifice, hard work, tenacity and common sense. “We prayed to our God AND posted a guard…” Nehemiah led the people in both spiritual action (prayer) and practical action (posting a guard). I place a high value on common sense which there seems to be a great lack of these days. As followers of Christ I believe God can help us develop Biblically informed common sense measures in our daily lives when confronting the many challenges we deal with regularly. It’s not “unspiritual” to use this sense given to us by God.
Our Christian walk, ministry, marriage, vocation, childrearing and many other vital issues of life are much like building a firm foundation one brick at a time. This building project will continue all through life until we are called home. (Chuck Swindoll wrote a book based on this theme titled, “Hand Me Another Brick.”)
Active faith often has a cooperative element that is expressed as we trust God and are obedient using the resources that He has given us. Today in your walk of faith you will likely face opposition of some type, perhaps even within the ranks of your own family. I urge you to remain steadfast and ever prayerful as you follow the example of Nehemiah, no matter the test you face! Keep building, one brick at a time.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
