So space isn’t dangerous enough, now we need to add Russian satellite missiles to the mix? I mean your floating in a place so void of life sustaining atmosphere that if your little bubble gets popped you die so close to instantaneously as to not matter and now we have to add galactic litter bullets? Space sounds fun.
I guess with all great works there are some scary obstacles. The problem is that the most terrifying often come from within.
The worst of those is our own fear.
We defeat ourselves way before most others have the chance. Nehemiah found that out quick.
3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.
6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
Regardless of the heat coming from outside, Nehemiah was about to see his biggest struggle was his own people. The words of his enemies caused doubt and fear among the Israelites rebuilding the wall. Those fears paralyzed the rebuilding, not the threat of attack.
It is like that for most of us, when we set to being used by God to rebuild our lives, or help rebuild another's, most often our own fears and doubts paralyze the process; not the obstacles in our paths.
Nehemiah’s reply to this was masterful. Nehemiah knew that in the crises that paused the rebuilding two things were needed; first the practical need must be filled and second the people must regain focus.
He posted the guard needed to bring security to the people and pointed them back to God. You can almost hear the words found repeatedly in Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Joshua conquered the land, the same qualities were going to be needed to rebuild it.
The correct focus will always frustrate the plans and purposes of our enemies. Sure fears, doubts, and obstacles will come whenever you try and rebuild anything. We must remember to meet the practical; physical, emotional, or spiritual need behind the fear and doubt and then refocus on Christ. Then we must simply be strong in the Lord and courageous in our purpose. Sometimes we have to fight, any good work requires it, but ultimately if we want to see our lives rebuilt then we must stay the course.
Storms come and go, it is not the storm that will crush us or leave us standing, it is the strength of our attachment to our foundation. Be strong, courageous, and build; one brick at a time.
"Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your family!" My battle cry. Very good, as usual, son.
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