Day 224

Nehemiah 3:15–5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

AS WE MENTIONED yesterday when we began the book of Nehemiah, the story carries within it strong words of counsel as we pursue our life’s calling and goals. When we observe the wisdom that informs Nehemiah’s decisions and responses, we can easily contrast it with the way we handle things. As we read, perhaps we can reconsider some assumptions about why things are or are not working in our leadership.

In our reading today, the people caught the vision Nehemiah cast for them. Progress on the wall moved forward faster than anyone could have hoped —and this is what we each long for after we’ve taken time to pray, plan, and launch into a new chapter of our story. But smooth sailing is rarely the predictable outcome of any venture. Nehemiah faced considerable opposition once the project began progressing, and we can take heart and counsel in his responses.

First came the voice of ridicule that sounds all too familiar: “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 4:2).

Discouraging words thrown at us when we’re pouring our time, gifting, and resources into an endeavor can be debilitating. Nehemiah responded by crying out to God in prayer and continuing forward.

Stop and ponder that. Nehemiah unwaveringly stayed connected to God and steadfastly kept moving forward. Soon the wall was rebuilt to half its height.

Next came the threat of attack. As Nehemiah’s wall moved from far-fetched fantasy into something plainly visible and advancing, the taunting turned into intimidation. Nehemiah didn’t cower or negotiate. Rather, he armed and prepared the people. He said, “We prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves” (Nehemiah 4:9).

Fascinatingly, discouragement and intimidation are usually enough to throw a dream off course for good. Dreams are easier than the blood and sweat of seeing them through. The hazards facing Nehemiah were real and life-threatening and could have derailed the building of the wall. Nehemiah responded by arming every person and cutting the workforce in half so that while one person was building, the other was standing sentry. This slowed progress. But it did not stop progress —and brick by brick, the wall’s construction continued.

Finally, Nehemiah encountered trouble from within the ranks. Many of the people were not able to maintain work on the wall while farming and trading to support their families. Seeing the opportunity, many of the wealthier Jewish exiles preyed on the less fortunate, causing families to break up. Indentured servitude became common. Nehemiah responded by summoning the community and bringing the issue into the light:

At the meeting I said to them, “We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense.

Bringing the issue to light caused the perpetrators to repent and offer reparations to those who had been exploited.

Nehemiah faced ridicule, threat of attack, and problems from within in today’s reading. Through each of these obstacles, he demonstrated devotion to God, perseverance, and an unwillingness to keep injustice in the dark. These are all necessary character traits as we navigate our own journeys. And —as is the case so often with the Scriptures —these characteristics are beautifully summarized in our reading from Proverbs today:

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

MEDITATION:

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”