The story of the man who went from cup-bearer to Artaxerxes I, king of Persia, to Governor of Judah, is a fascinating one and has so much to teach us on humility, grace, and leadership. Nehemiah was serving Artaxerxes I when one day, he learned with great sadness that the walls and city gates of Jerusalem were destroyed. This led him to fast and pray for four months confessing his sins and the sins of the people, asking God to remember his covenant with Israel and grant him favor before the king so the latter would allow him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.
One thing that is striking right from the beginning of this story is Nehemiah's passion and commitment to the work of God, and the fact that he was willing to give up his prestigious position of cup-bearer to return and rebuild a city in ruins. How many of us are willing to put aside our jobs/something important or leave the comfort of our houses for the work of God?
Matthew 9:37 - Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few"
All around the world, the work of God is being neglected, true houses of worship are empty and the walls of the church are crumbling as multitudes are going astray due to false and deceitful teachings and prophets. Our cities and communities are crumbling before gun violence, human trafficking and so much more. But where are Christians, the ones called to be the salt of the earth? What are we concretely doing to support and advance the work of God and manifest His reign on earth? Nothing...Yet, when we want something, we run to God, chase after men of God, sow seeds, and do all sorts of things to provoke God’s favor. It is when problems arise that we remember that we have a God. But when things are going well, we are nowhere to be found in the house of God. Is this how things should be? Can God be deceived? Here’s what He said to his servant in Haggai 1:2-11:
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’” Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.
“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.
Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
This was the Word of the Lord to the Prophet Haggai at a time when the house of God was neglected by the Israelites, which caused the Lord to place a curse on the work of their hands so that they would work hard but harvest little. How many of us are working so hard but not seeing the fruit of our labor? We have abandoned God's work in pursuit of the things of this world forgetting that our God is THE great provider and THE to whom belongs silver and gold. At times, it feels the heavens are closed on some of us. Why? Because we have neglected the presence, house or work of God.
The Work of God doesn't necessarily mean preaching or serving in Church. The Work of God is about showing kindness to one another, supporting the poor, the orphans and widows, serving our communities. The Work of God is about doing what God has called you do to, whether it is serving in government or working at a hospital.
This article is to remind us that, as Christians, we are to become kingdom builders and kingdom intercessors. We need a generation of NEHEMIAHs in our towns, cities and communities to do the work of God. Like Nehemiah, we must: 1) Be willing to go inspect the broken walls of our cities and churches; 2) Pray and fast for God to give us strength and resources to go rebuild the walls; and 3) Have the courage to speak out before officials and leaders and come up with new initiatives.
How to inspect the walls?
Ask yourself or your elders: Is this how things used to be or should be in my church, city, community? Are the values of or things happening in this church, city, community or family aligned with the values and the Word of God? As we start inquiring and asking those questions, gradually the Lord will open our eyes, and we will begin to see how damaged the walls are, and he will also show us what to do. Many of you have noticed or the Lord has shown you how damaged the walls are but you are not willing to speak out or work on it. Who will then work on it? Let's return to the place of prayer to seek direction from the Lord, and rebuild the walls of our cities, communities and churches again.
What is rebuilding the walls?
Investing physical resources (time, energy, finances, skills and talents) and spiritual resources (intercessions for state and church leaders, for people to be saved and come to the knowledge of God, for peace in the nations, for God to send more workers, etc.) into the work of God. It is important that we rebuild broken walls because when walls are destroyed, we are vulnerable to any attack of the enemy, enemies infiltrate the house of God and sow seeds of hatred, discord, confusion and division, and we become naked before our neighbors.
Opposition to rebuilding the walls
Some will be happy when you’ll start rebuilding the walls, and others will not. They will fight you, plot against you like they plotted against Nehemiah and the Jews. But you must stand firm through prayer, wisdom, and vigilance. That is why before doing anything,you must harvest stamina and build capacity in the place of prayer to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Nehemiah prayed for four months before getting the authorization to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city, and even in Jerusalem, he still prayed for God to strengthen him and the workers.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
MY PRAYER FOR YOU: As you do and persevere in the work of God, may the Lord bless the work of your hands. May you plant little but harvest more than you have planted and even a hundred fold. May the devourer never come near your house and the words of Deut. 28:12 become manifest in your life.
“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.” Deuteronomy 28:12
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