Thursday, June 28, 2012

With God, You Can Finish Your Wall!

In the book of Nehemiah....

2:17
Then I said to them, "You can see the trouble we have here. Jerusalem is in a pile of ruins, and its gates have been burned. Come let's rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so we won't be full of shame any longer."

4:1-3
When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he was very angry, even furious. He made fun of the Jewish people. He said to his friends and those with power in Samaria, "What are these weak Jews doing? Will they rebuild the wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in one day? Can they bring stones back to life from piles of trash and ashes?" Tobiah the Ammonite, who was next to Sanballat said, "If a fox climbed up on the stone wall they are building, it would break."

6:9
Our enemies were trying to scare us, thinking, "They will get too weak to work. Then the wall will not be finished." But I prayed, "God, make me strong."

6:16
When all our enemies heard about it and all the nations around us saw it, they were shamed. Then they understood the work had been done with the help of our God.

● ● ●

Well that was a shortened version of a few chapters in Nehemiah. Through out the process of building the wall, Nehemiah and the people were criticized and attacked. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem constantly made fun of Nehemiah saying he would not complete the wall; that is was a foolish goal. As it reads in chapter 6, Nehemiah and the people did complete the wall. When the wall was completed all who made fun of it were ashamed of their behavior and disbelief in the rebuilding of the wall. Finishing the wall gave glory to God because with his help it was done. Within the chapters, Nehemiah comes to God first at anytime he encountered trouble and an attack. In chapter 4, Nehemiah prays to God to protect the wall and the people because Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem were planning to attack. God comes through protecting the wall and his people. The word says in verse 15, "God has ruined their plans." In verse 20, Nehemiah makes the confident statement, "Our God will fight for us." I was just amazed reading this book at how faithful Nehemiah was in God to protect and strengthen him with finishing the wall even though three men were constantly reeking havoc during the process. God desires to see us succeed. He wants to be our provider, protector, and our healer. Come to him with your every need and he will move on your behalf just as Nehemiah came to the Lord! The enemy can set up a multitude of arrangements for your life to shove you off the track God has destined you to be on. Just as the enemy threw criticism, hatred, and malicious humor in Nehemiah's tracks he could be trying to do the same to you. But fear not for Satan's power is no match to the power of God! Let it be known to you today that God is for you and has great plans for your life! Just as Nehemiah finished the wall, God will constantly strengthen you as you look towards him and you will succeed! Whatever "wall" in your life you are trying to build, the Lord will invigorate your spirit to finish it. Also, do not forget to only come to God in your deep valleys, but even in your moments of mountain tops. He is 24/7 present and desires for your heart to see him as your everything.

Proverbs 3:6
Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.


Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it.
You are all around me 
- in front and in back - 
and have put your hand on me.
Psalm 139:4-5

Have a great Thursday night!
❤ Ariel Christine

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