Reflections of Nehemiah 4

            As you proceed toward a new project, you may find the fourth chapter of Nehemiah instructive.  At a “What the Bible is All About?” class I taught on Sunday mornings a few years ago, the class and I thoroughly discussed the parallel of rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem and our daily challenges.  We gleaned several significant lessons that we apply to our personal lives.

            In the opening verses of the chapter (Nehemiah 4:1-3), Sanballat and Tobiah emerge as fierce opponents to rebuilding the wall.  Using an enduring strategy of fighting, they strongly discourage the Jews.  In fact, Sanballat and Tobiah insult and humiliate the Jews.  They label the Jews as “feeble” and question their ability to accomplish any task.  Sanballat and Tobiah hurled a major mental assault by saying “if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!”  Had the Jews internalized this negativity, they would have defeated themselves.  Self-doubt with its accompanying fear is actually one of our most ferocious enemies.  The enemies of the Jews sought to continue their exile by further colonizing their minds. 

            The Jews responded to these insults with prayer (Nehemiah 4:4-6).  They asked God to reverse this verbal abuse.  After praying, the Jews went back to work.  Combining spirituality and practicality works best in warfare.  Whereas we must pray, we must also follow through on any revelation and wisdom that God graciously gives during times of prayer.  Prayer empowers us to fulfill any requests we ask of God.  Prayer time is not a period of magic.  As a consequence of prayer when the people went to work, they did so “with all their heart.”  When we approach any task with spiritual empowerment and personal determination, we will achieve success.

            In Nehemiah 4:9, the Jews additionally demonstrate the usefulness of spiritual pragmatism.  Again, they prayed but they also posted an armed guard to counteract the physical threat of their opposition.  Their equivalency of the M.P., military police, watched day and night to meet any enemies.  As we consult God for guidance in facing personal challenges, we follow the example of these Jews.  We pray without ceasing.  Also, we daily discipline ourselves to act on any wisdom we receive.  Whether our enemy manifests itself in finances, alcohol and chemical abuse, marital situations, loneliness, anger or any number of other dilemmas, we conquer these Goliaths through our routine practice of spiritual disciplines.  Summarily, interweaving spirituality and practicality positions us for triumph.

            Interestingly, self-doubt and fear arise in Nehemiah 4:10-12.  The Jews question whether the task is insurmountable.  “There is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”  With that mindset, defeat does not require enemies.  We possess the requisite talents, gifts and resources to accomplish any task.  The real question is whether we are willing and have faith to work until victory is accomplished.  Faith and willingness materialize from prayer.  As we positively approach God, He infuses us with power to complete His work. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

            Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the Jews return to the effective combination of faith and common sense.  In 4:13-18, Nehemiah stations people to work and rebuild.  He also arms them.  The workers rebuild with one hand and are prepared to fight with the other hand.  This illustration instructs us to combine two of the major areas of our lives.  Spiritual armor equips us to fight in the daily battle of life.  We can do both!  The tools of prayer, meditation, Bible study, and daily quiet time sharpen the individual gifts, talents and resources that we possess.