A Season of Rebuilding: Nehemiah on Rebuilding
By Kam Cook
Stephen Ministry Coordinator
The Book of Nehemiah tells us the walls of Jerusalem had been completely annihilated by the Babylonians. The Persians, who conquered Babylon (530 BC), allowed a remnant of the Jews to return from exile in Babylon to their homeland. There they endeavored to rebuild the Temple (536-16 BCE), restore the community of believers under the priest Ezra, and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem under the governor Nehemiah.
The Book of Nehemiah serves as an object lesson for us today. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was as much a spiritual rebuilding as it was a physical project, and both required God’s help. Last week we discussed how, after the Temple had been rebuilt, Nehemiah motivated the Jews to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.
The second step in rebuilding is Participation (Neh. 3:1-32). No matter how capable a leader, no rebuilding will progress without the support of many individuals and groups. Nehemiah knew this was a community project, so he invited others to join him in rebuilding the walls. Walls provide a sense of safety and caring, a safe haven where God is worshiped.
God is providing us with people who will participate in rebuilding our walls. Our leaders have willingly stepped up to undertake any chores necessary to rebuild HHBC. The first Jewish workers who stepped up (at least 34 groups) were the priests, who proceeded to rebuilt the gate. While our leaders have given us the spiritual tools needed, we the members are the gatekeepers, responsible for keeping our church safe and for keeping naysayers, discontent, and dissension out. We must all work together for a common goal of restoring our community of believers.
Next, the wall itself must be rebuilt. Nehemiah conceived an ingenious idea to reignite the Jews’ fervor for wall building: he made each family responsible for part of the wall. Knowing that a wall is only as strong as its weakest spot, they dedicated themselves to securing the section of the wall closest to their families to keep them safe. How carefully would we construct a wall that would directly affect our safety and that of our families? Each of us needs to build a spiritual wall designed to provide a sense of safety and caring here at HHBC.
Furthermore, Nehemiah lets us know talent wasn’t required. God gives us on-the-job training - no one will be turned away for lack of talent. God has imbued each of us with spiritual gifts that, collectively, enable us to participate in rebuilding a beautiful new creation here at HHBC. We must work together to keep our group strong and defend its integrity. Each individual is an important part of the entire body of Christ and the corporate body of HHBC.
A synergy occurs when we work together to restore the walls, repair the breaches and re-establish the relationship with God that we might have let slip. God becomes our wall, our defense, when we seek Him individually and as a group. When we do this repentantly and humbly, God will heal the breach. Each of us needs to seek God and ask Him to restore our relationships in order to rebuild HHBC.
If your walls of security have crumbled or been breached and you need someone to help you rebuild your life, a trained Stephen Minister is available to walk alongside you on your journey. For more information on how Stephen Ministry can provide you with confidential, nonjudgmental one-to-one lay pastoral care, contact Referrals Coordinator Peggy Williams at (478) 719-3340 or pjwms12@gmail.com.
Recognizing that God is the ultimate Cure Giver, the Mission of the Highland Hills Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is to serve God and bring Christ’s healing love to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges through confidential, non-judgmental, one-on-one Christian care.