Nehemiah didn’t have to say a word. The king could see it in his face. Nehemiah was upset about the ruined walls and burnt out gates of Jerusalem.
The king knew Nehemiah’s sadness wouldn’t go away all by itself. He asks Nehemiah, “What do you want?”
Nehemiah makes a big, bold ask. “Send me there to rebuild the city, and provide the resources to do it.” Amazingly, the king grants his request! Why? It was the hand of God (Nehemiah 1:8).
Despite the overwhelming task and local opposition, the people get the walls rebuilt in fifty-two days. I believe that’s pretty good when you consider they had no heavy equipment or power tools. Plus, they worked with tools and materials in one hand and a sword, spear, or bow in the other.
God tears down and repairs walls. In Ephesians 2, Paul describes how Jesus tore down dividing walls by his blood. Then, God puts up a new structure, a dwelling place for his Spirit, built with believers on the foundation of the prophetic and apostolic scriptures, “with Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20,21). Against all odds and opposition, God builds his church, a place where our lives are safe and secure.
Nehemiah gets an ornament on the Jesse Tree, reminding us of God’s amazing construction project. If you’ve read this far, be sure to go listen to Gold City sing “God’s Building a Church.”
Waite for it... 