Rebuilding the Broken - Week 4

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday          Nehemiah 2:10-20

Tuesday         Nehemiah 3:1-12

Wednesday   Nehemiah 3:13-21

Thursday       Nehemiah 3:22-32

Friday             Nehemiah 4:1-5

Saturday        Nehemiah 5:6-8 

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us when we come under attack by the enemy.

In Jesus’ name,  AMEN

READING:

Nehemiah is facing challenges from within and from outside. From within, he’s dealing with the fears of the people regarding the threat of their enemies, who are the challenge from outside. These fears are well-grounded, in fact, as their enemies are willing to kill them in order to stop the work. How will Nehemiah respond?

Nehemiah takes two essential steps.

First, he readies them for the potential threat by taking the practical steps to counter the threat if it should materialize. He deploys people, organized by families and armed, to strategic locations—“behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places.” Maybe the threat will come about, maybe it won’t. But they are taking it seriously and preparing themselves for what may come.

Second, he reminds the people who have been posted to defend the wall to depend on God. The exhortation not to be afraid of people or circumstances rings throughout scripture from beginning to end. We are particularly prone to fear. This case seems like a good example. When we hear or perceive immediate threats, those can seem to loom larger than the ever-present help of God. In such times, it is vital to have a leader or a friend reminding us that the “Lord… is great and awesome” and that we can rely on Him as we stand up and answer the challenge of the day.