re-builder of broken walls and broken lives
Nehemiah was a working man. Cupbearer to the King of Persia, he lived at the Palace and served the highest official in the land.
When God burdened Nehemiah’s heart with the condition of his homeland, Israel, he wasn’t looking around for the most capable man. Nehemiah was a cupbearer, not a builder. Yet, God saw something in Nehemiah. He saw a tender heart toward the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
As you read through the book of Nehemiah you find him facing giants of many kinds. Opposition from all sides. Still he continues through it all. Persevering. He didn’t find the strength within himself but in His God.
He rebuilds the walls and in doing so, rebuilds the lives of the remnant of Israel, the last of God’s chosen people.
This isn’t a new story. God does this over and over.
He saw a King within the shepherd boy, David. A brave Queen behind the pretty face of Esther. A leader and warrior in the youngest of the smallest tribe in Gideon. The rock of the New Testament church inside the unstableness of Peter. The builder of that church in the destroyer of Saul, who became Paul.
What does this say to us? We’re usable to God. Even with all our brokenness. All our sins and failures and fears.
He wants to use us to rebuild his people. To lead his people. To save his people. To fight for his people. To be the rock that his people, the church, are built upon.
He wants to rebuild through us.
And all it takes is an open heart. One that weeps at the destruction of the church. One that recognizes our failures and our desperate need for Jesus Christ. One that is willing to say, “I have to try and if I perish, I perish.”
May we all learn to walk this road. May we learn to be the “Nehemiahs” of this day and age. The re-builders of broken walls and broken lives, for the glory of Him who redeems our weaknesses by showing His strength.
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