A Season of Rebuilding: Nehemiah on Rebuilding
By Kam Cook
Stephen Ministry Coordinator
But now, O God, strengthen my hands (Nehemiah 6:9b).
The remnant of Jews who returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian Captivity found their homeland had been destroyed by their captors. The Jews had to start over to rebuild the Temple (536-16 BCE), restore the community of believers and rebuild Jerusalem. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was as much a spiritual rebuilding as it was a physical project, and both required God’s help. God sent them leaders in the person of Ezra (the priest) and Nehemiah (the governor). Nehemiah first motivated them about the necessity for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Then, every group and family was called upon to participate to give each a sense of ownership.
The third step in rebuilding is determination (Neh 4:1-6). In spite of extreme opposition, the people were determined to complete their task. Nehemiah didn’t get discouraged, even in the face of so many obstacles. There is something powerful and unifying when you go through trials; we usually learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes; we become complacent and stunted unless we face adversity and trials. God is trying to help us grow; He has allowed us to go through our experience for a reason – we just don’t yet comprehend what that reason is.
The Jerusalem wall was eventually completed because the people were determined to finish it. Like the exiles, we at HHBC are determined to rebuild our congregation and witness. God may lead us in new ways, but we have the determination to rebuild our church to serve and glorify Him so that our church becomes a wall within which peace dwells and righteousness flourishes.
The fourth step in rebuilding is supplication (Neh 4:7-23). Prayer built much of Nehemiah’s wall. Nehemiah took all the oppression and roadblocks set out by others to the Lord and asked for His guidance. Rebuilding takes time, and it isn’t always easy. It takes much prayer and dependence on the Lord. The Jews remembered and focused on God and they trusted that He would fight for them. They kept their eyes on the goal ahead, never losing faith that, with God’s help, they would succeed in rebuilding.
God supplies this spiritual wall for those who seek His way, His providence and His will. The work of rebuilding our personal wall is the effort we prayerfully put into seeking a strong relationship with Him, and He then provides the defenses for us. God becomes our wall.
Rebuilding also involved reconciliation. Nehemiah resolved injustice and conflicts, necessary in order to continue rebuilding. No project proceeds flawlessly; there is always some level of conflict in any task. HHBC has had a lot of conflict in recent months, and injustices have been done. We all need to accept responsibility for our culpability
God wants us to build on our weakness, to make us spiritually strong, to heal and strengthen our relationships, and for us to grow in grace. Walls crumble when we fail to maintain them or blame their cracks on others instead of accepting responsibility for our own shortcomings. Playing at the repair job, daubing bits of untampered mortar here and there, will only delay its inevitable collapse. Such a wall, lacking God, gives the impression of security but crumbles at the smallest enemy strike. We must be totally committed to restoring our neglected relationship with God, thus restoring God’s presence as the wall here at HHBC.
If you lack determination or need help in reconciling differences – be they personal or with other members of our congregation - 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 by email.
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.