Nehemiah 6:15-16 – Job Done
The statement in verse 15 is truly remarkable! It only took Nehemiah fifty-two days to rebuild walls that had been in ruins for one hundred years. It wasn’t that nobody was aware that a problem existed; it was simply that nobody was willing to do anything about it. It was not until a man came who did more than wish that Jerusalem had walls, ‘he grieved, he ached, he prayed, he planned, he asked boldly, he went, he fought, he encouraged, he stood strong, he saw the job through to completion’. (David Guzik)
Here there is a demonstration of what God can do through those who are committed to Him. God was pleased to use Nehemiah to deal, in less than two months, with a situation that had existed for one hundred years. Although the wall was completed in fifty-two days it must never be forgotten that when Nehemiah was first made aware of the situation in Jerusalem, he prayed for four months before the plan of action was put in place. God’s work often requires hard physical effort, but it will never be successfully concluded without prayer. Those who had tried unsuccessfully to prevent the work being carried out were quite disheartened when they saw that all their efforts had been in vain. What an encouragement it is for God’s people to see those who try to undermine the work of God being frustrated and discouraged! Perhaps the greatest of all encouragements for Nehemiah was that even his enemies recognised that God had been at work, and when God works, nothing and no-one can prevent it.
It is so important that any work or outreach that is planned by the church should be done in total dependence upon the Lord. People may see some great project carried out and be impressed, but it is only when man works under the direction of God and for the honour and glory of God, that there can be any expectation of seeing God work, and it is only when God works that the enemy is discouraged.
Questions
- How long did it take for the wall to be rebuilt?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that God builds His Church.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.