A Year of Building
One of my favorite books of the Bible (yes, there are many favorites in my life) is the story of Nehemiah. I am fascinated by his desire to leave his life as the king's cupbearer and go rebuild the city of Jerusalem.
This building process was not an easy one. There was much physical labor to do, putting the wall back up around the city. But there was also mental and spiritual labor, resisting the harassment by the local enemies that would see their work halted.
Doesn't this sound like your own life? I know in my own daily walk with the Lord, I want to build. I want to grow in knowledge of the Scripture, lift up everyone I come into contact with, build my home and strengthen my spiritual life in so many ways.
But building is a daunting task. Think about those people staring at the city and thinking about the work involved in rebuilding. The only way they were able to attempt the task was to concentrate on their own portion of the wall.
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. Nehemiah 3:1-4
What a dramatic picture of determination to build. I'll take responsibility for my own section, you tackle yours and the next one ... and the next ... and so on all the way around the city.
They were so tormented by outsiders and nay-sayers that they had to prepare themselves to fight while they worked. This is very possibly my favorite passage in the entire story.
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. Nehemiah 4:16-21
One hand doing the building and one hand on your weapon, ready to defend the work. Building isn't easy, and we may have to be prepared to fight along the way?
What are we fighting in building our lives as Christian women? Procrastination? Apathy? Lack of time? Lack of help? Lack of support? Weariness?
I don't know what needs rebuilding in your life, but there are so many areas of mine that need some work. I pray we'll not be overcome by defeat and nay-sayers, but find the tools we need to solidify our foundations and build strong, victorious lives.
Just remember that verse - our God shall fight for us. We're never, ever alone when we determine to live our lives for God's glory.
So that's my plan for the year.
I'm going to build.
I hope you'll pray for me as I build. I want to build, and I would love for you to join me.
Every day during 2013, we're going to build. We're going to seek balance and peace and joy straight from the Source.
Please join me. Comment. Share your struggles and your successes. I'm going to share mine, and I want to be a support while you do the same.
Let's build our lives to be examples of the Jesus Christ Who lives within us.
Are you ready to build?
This building process was not an easy one. There was much physical labor to do, putting the wall back up around the city. But there was also mental and spiritual labor, resisting the harassment by the local enemies that would see their work halted.
Doesn't this sound like your own life? I know in my own daily walk with the Lord, I want to build. I want to grow in knowledge of the Scripture, lift up everyone I come into contact with, build my home and strengthen my spiritual life in so many ways.
But building is a daunting task. Think about those people staring at the city and thinking about the work involved in rebuilding. The only way they were able to attempt the task was to concentrate on their own portion of the wall.
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. Nehemiah 3:1-4
What a dramatic picture of determination to build. I'll take responsibility for my own section, you tackle yours and the next one ... and the next ... and so on all the way around the city.
They were so tormented by outsiders and nay-sayers that they had to prepare themselves to fight while they worked. This is very possibly my favorite passage in the entire story.
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. Nehemiah 4:16-21
One hand doing the building and one hand on your weapon, ready to defend the work. Building isn't easy, and we may have to be prepared to fight along the way?
What are we fighting in building our lives as Christian women? Procrastination? Apathy? Lack of time? Lack of help? Lack of support? Weariness?
I don't know what needs rebuilding in your life, but there are so many areas of mine that need some work. I pray we'll not be overcome by defeat and nay-sayers, but find the tools we need to solidify our foundations and build strong, victorious lives.
Just remember that verse - our God shall fight for us. We're never, ever alone when we determine to live our lives for God's glory.
So that's my plan for the year.
I'm going to build.
I hope you'll pray for me as I build. I want to build, and I would love for you to join me.
Every day during 2013, we're going to build. We're going to seek balance and peace and joy straight from the Source.
Please join me. Comment. Share your struggles and your successes. I'm going to share mine, and I want to be a support while you do the same.
Let's build our lives to be examples of the Jesus Christ Who lives within us.
Are you ready to build?
Excellent post AGAIN Laura, I will be looking forward to a year of building. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteAnd I look forward to standing next to you on the wall, Mary!
ReplyDeleteBuild! Build! Build!
And praise God for the results.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord.
Laura