I have started reading through Nehemiah, and it really struck me anew that there really was a marvellous mix of people that worked together to build up the city wall of Jerusalem.
The city had been destroyed by battles; the walls burnt and broken, and the pieces left to lie in ruins for years. It was a war-torn, abandoned city. Once the pride and joy of its inhabitants, now it was a place with a few stragglers left or a few returning Jews released from exile amidst a pile of rubble.
Then Nehemiah turned up. Before that though he was in a totally different city, serving a foreign king as a cupbearer. Yet he had a heart for Jerusalem. He was heartbroken by the state of the city of God that had been reported to him. This city, Jerusalem, was the home of his ancestors, the place where the temple of God had been, where festivals had been held by the gatherings of God’s people, now a place of desolation.
So, he prayed. After all, what could he do? He himself was an exile, and a servant of the king. He prayed. Then God gave him the opportunity to return to Jerusalem, so he took it and went to see what was going on and what he could do.
After prayer and secretly checking out the condition of the city, Nehemiah rallied the people together and became the instigator for the vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah told the people what he felt God directing him to do - rebuild and repair the the city wall, he then extended the invite to everyone, ‘Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem’. Nehemiah knew it was a big task, but that didn't deter him, instead he asked others to join in and help. It wasn’t a mandate, or a law; it was an invitation, an inspired call to action. Nehemiah told the people what he had seen, what he felt and asked them to be a part of it. Many responded. Many did not.
The overall corporate voice seems to have been, ‘Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work’. Amazing response! People were willing. They hadn't quite seen things the way they were, or what they could do, until they were inspired and gathered by Nehemiah. Then they wanted tog et involved to make whatever difference they could. That's how a great marvellous mix of people came together to build.
The first mentioned in Nehemiah was the High Priest - the top religious man of the time, along with his family. It seems like they set the precedent; they set aside their robes and status and began the work of builders. This religious family took up Nehemiah’s call to do the dirty, hard lifting work, and they toiled til they had completed and consecrated their section. Many others did the same; men and women from different areas, tribes, vocations and ages. They all did their bit. There were; leaders, goldsmiths, perfumers, rulers, levites, priests, servants and merchants all involved, yet not one mention of a carpenter or builder, isn’t that interesting? You don’t have to be a skilled expert to faithfully do what God has called you to do, you just need to be willing. This story in Nehemiah proves it.
This people were compelled and committed to realising the vision Nehemiah cast to rebuild the city. They heard the call, and signed up to the task. Not an easy one either, they had to work really hard, ‘from the break of dawn until the stars came out’. This was no half-hearted effort, it was all consuming, difficult, labouring. There would have been times when they were; tired, fed up, worn out, grumpy, aching and scared, but they were not put off. They knew the call was to build, and each person dedicated their time, effort and energy to the reconstruction of that city wall. They didn’t focus on the everyday inconvenience, discomfort or danger, but on the promise of a fulfilled mission, the commitment of a people working together to complete a work of God. The city wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt by families and individuals working diligently. Everyone did what they could despite the hard work, late hours and threats. They strengthened one another and look what they achieved - The city wall was built in 52 days! That is impressive! A people willingly working together to build God's kingdom can do incredible things.
So, how can we apply this to our lives? Consider these questions:
What is it that your church is rallying people to build where you live?
Where is the gap in the wall that you can faithfully build?
God is calling you, asking you if you would join in the reconstruction work that is going on where you are, ‘Come, let us build'. He invites you to join in, are you going to take up the call, or be like those that didn't? because there is an alternative response to this call. Looking back at the verses in Nehemiah 3, there are those that did not rally, that did not get involved. They were notable in their absence, ’their nobles would not stoop to serve the Lord’. I think that is very sad, don't you? There were, and there are, those that profess to be God’s people, but they won’t get stuck in. When it comes down to the nitty gritty, there are people that will opt out of the hard work of building because it is difficult and inconvenient and maybe because they feel inadequate. Are you one of those?
If so, look at what you’re missing out on. As we read the book of Nehemiah it is not always fun, in fact it is hard and it will challenge and stretch you, plus you will probably get outside influences and distractions trying to halt you. Yet those that respond to the call to build are part of something bigger than themselves. They see the miracle of completion, the joy of relationship and protection. They see answers to prayer and enemies defeated, they see how God has had a massive hand in their lives and achievements. They see themselves and where they live transformed. So, really, are you willing to miss out on that?
Today, you have a chance to respond to the call of God to build.
Are you going to be like the faithful men and women that responded, who could quite rightly have said, “I’m not a builder, I am a perfumer/priest/servant/etc……. What can I do?” Yet they didn’t. They did not regard their experience level, skill or status as a hindrance, instead their response was a willing, ‘Let us rise up and build’!
With the little or the much you have, are you willing to see what God will do with it and how He will use you to build His kingdom? It won't be easy, it will challenge you and stretch you, but will you obey the call?
It could be that God is inviting you to help an existing team, join a prayer initiative, serve refreshments, be part of a community service team, or maybe even start building a part of the wall that hasn't even been started yet, a new initiative that will build the kingdom of God where you are.
If you're not sure what to do, then ask God - He will show you, probably several times if you're anything like me! God has invited me, many times, to do things I have been ill equipped to do. Like; join the welcome team when I was too shy to speak to anyone (I would be the quiet one hiding in the corner or putting away the chairs to avoid conversation), or be part of the prayer team when I never prayed aloud, then to start a Sunday morning youth work when there were no young people in the church at the time. I was weak, incapable and unskilled in all of these things, but I was willing. And do you know what?! I grew and changed, learnt new skills and abilities and I have seen God do great things. I am not the same person I was, because my attitude was like those willing builders Nehemiah inspired.
Regardless of capacity, status or skill, are you willing to ask God what it is He wants you to build?
‘Let us rise up and build’?
