21 Days with Nehemiah

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 Once again, having heard “t hat the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed”, Israel’s enemies became very angry and threatened to attack the city and the people (4:7). The enemy’s tactic is exposed once again! If he cannot stop God’s work through intimidation, privately and publicly, he will seek to attack those in the flock whose walls are at their lowest. The enemy tries to intimidate the weak so that they begin to sow doubt and fear within the flock! The people began to report, “our enemies said, ‘Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us” (4:11,12). If the enemy cannot intimidate fro...

“Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.” Nehemiah 3:8 Nehemiah chapter 3 describes how all the people of Israel contributed and participated in the work of rebuilding the gates and walls of Jerusalem. It lists the names of the people, families, regions and groups that were a significant part of fulfilling the vision. Regardless of profession, status or family, they all helped for the common good. Uzziel, whose name means ‘My strength is God’ helped to build the wall, even though the work was completely different to his skills and delicate work as a goldsmith. The same applies to Hananiah who was a perfume-maker. When God shows us a problem, it is an invitation to be part of the solution in His strength. God calls us, not because we are qualified but because there is a need and He is looking for someone to say “yes” to Him a...