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Co-written by Chrystal and Michelle J. Goff, sisters in Searcy, Arkansas, volunteer and director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries, respectively
The remnant of Israelites was weary. They had been beaten down and their cities destroyed by their enemies. Many of their relatives that were taken under Babylonian captivity continued to live in exile under Medo-Persian rule. A few waves of Israelites had returned to Judah, under Zerubbabel and later with Ezra, but the temple remained incomplete and the city of Jerusalem in ruins.
Nehemiah was burdened by the broken-down conditions in Judah, as reported by his brother. His family’s place of origin was a heap of rubble, not a town.
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (Neh. 1:3)
Nehemiah, fasted, prayed, and cried out to God for relief on behalf of his people. Strengthened with resolve, Nehemiah prayed at every step along the way as he, a humble cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, requested the time off, the materials, and letters of safe passage to go and rebuild the city wall.
Yet even before Nehemiah could share with the people what God had placed in his heart to do, he began to face opposition. Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite, “the bullies,” as we will call them, were “disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites” (Neh. 2:10).
The bullies didn’t think they would have to try so hard to oppose Nehemiah. He was a lowly cupbearer, so how would he know how to be a good leader for the rebuilding of the wall? They underestimated God and Nehemiah’s dedication to asking for help to fulfill his calling.
We lose count of the times that Nehemiah finds strength in the Lord to rebuild the wall. He, in turn, encourages the Jews, who have also cried out to God. God provides a solution. The Jews implement it, as they continue building. Then the bullies get angry and try a new scheme… The opposition tried a little bit of everything: rumors, deceit, poking fun, belittling, lies, intimidation, physical and verbal attacks.
Nehemiah and the Jews pray again, God strengthens them, they employ a new strategy, and the bullies get more frustrated. Repeat, ad nauseum!
At one point, the Israelites had to be workmen by day and guards by night. Half worked while the other half stood guard with swords. Those carrying materials could only carry half as much because of their sword in the other hand (Neh. 4:16-18). How frustrating! We can barely walk and chew gum at the same time! But God gave them the strength and balance.
The opposition was filled with obvious lies and manipulative secrecy. Five times in a row, the bullies tried to trap and harm Nehemiah, inviting him to a nearby town. The fifth time, Nehemiah’s response to their flagrant lies is hilarious:
I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” (Neh. 6:8)
Sometimes, whatever opposes us, whatever we feel bullied by feels relentless, conniving, wearying, ruthless… and we feel helpless to complete our task. We cry out, “This is trying to slow me down and thwart my efforts. Help!” Crying out to God in prayer and relinquishing the opposition to God, He does provide solutions, strategies, and strength.
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” (Neh. 6:9)
Bullied, bantered, and beaten down through the fifty-two days of intensive wall rebuilding and the opposition leading up to that, the Israelites has been strengthened by God. They then gathered before the newly rebuilt Water Gate as Ezra read from the Law.
Years before Netflix, the Israelites binged on the Word of the LORD, from daybreak to noon, and their response affirmed that, “Yes, they were still watching.” They were cut to the heart by what they heard and began to grieve the perpetuated sin of their ancestors.
Yet God strengthened the people with a reminder of what that day was all about: Rejoicing in the strength of the Lord! There would come a time for them to confess their sins, to commit to repentant, changed hearts and practices as the people of God.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep… This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:9-10, excerpts)
No matter what the opposition (external bullies or internal struggles), God strengthens us.
The book of Nehemiah concludes with the wall as an instrument of dedication to God’s ways, His Law. On the Sabbath, the gates were closed and locked in protection of the holiness of the day dedicated to God and to remembering Him.
In what ways have you faced opposition to rebuilding or a rededication of all facets of your life to God? How have you seen God strengthen you in that calling?
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Written by Estefanía Medrano, Iron Rose Sister Ministries volunteer in El Salvador
A few days ago, I left my home country to visit my family in the United States. I thought that I could take advantage of the trip and work parttime in order to gain experience and earn some income. So, I started a job search. I found an opening at a restaurant, so I called and asked if they were still hiring. They answered that they were and scheduled an interview that same afternoon since they were desperate to hire new personnel. I decided to go, seeking God’s blessing.
The interview was a total success. I agreed with everything they were asking me to do. The schedule was perfect. It was a great opportunity. They told me to come the next day and to purchase a specific outfit and shoes. I left right away, fully ready to learn and do my best.
When I arrived, I introduced myself to a different manager than the one who had interviewed me the day before. This person started to ask for documentation that authorized me to work in the country. However, I did not have it. I was not prepared to provide documentation of that type because the person who interviewed me forgot to ask me if I had it. I never imagined that it was necessary, and I knew that I did not have it, since my stay was not permanent.
At that moment that person, very ashamed, told me that they could not hire me because it was an essential requirement and apologized for not having told me during the interview. Smiling, I told him that there was no problem, that I totally understood. I said goodbye with a handshake and left the place. When I walked through the door, the tears rolled down my cheeks inadvertently, and then I pondered what had happened.
I had never thought about the value of the citizenship of a country, and the rights that it grants to the citizen. At the same time, I was reminded of the most important citizenship that exists, our citizenship in heaven. I will never forget the first thing that came to mind when I left that restaurant. I wondered how I will feel or what it will be like when I am in the presence of God, and He calls His chosen ones to His right side to live an eternity with Him—for those chosen ones to have a guaranteed citizenship in heaven, with all the benefits that it affords. But for those who do not have it, they will not have that pass and will not be allowed to enter. The humiliation will be great, and the weeping will be eternal. I don't think anyone wants to go through that humiliating moment when God tells some that they cannot go and live with Him for eternity.
“But to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” (Mark 10:40, NIV)
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (Heb. 13:14)
The difference between this and my work experience is that we know that we are striving to obtain that citizenship and obtain all its rights and benefits.
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20)
That hope must be accompanied by the effort to achieve it because it is a unique place.
“And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” (1 Pet. 1:4)
Can you imagine that great day, dear sister, the day that every Christian hopes his/her name will be called by our heavenly Father? When your name that is written in the book of life is called, it will allow you to enter the heavenly city, because you belong to that place. You are a legitimate citizen, and you will be able to enjoy everything that is there for an eternity.
The day I showed up for work and they told me they couldn't hire me, I felt bad and somewhat humiliated, but then with a more relaxed mind, I understood and accepted that it was fine because the restaurant had policies and rules and I couldn't change them. Then, I remembered the words in Revelation...
“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:27)
God also has rules or requirements, and we cannot go against them. On that great day of judgment, we will have to be aware of our actions, of our profile as Christians. And if our life has aligned with what God requires in His life manual, which is His holy Word, we will be worthy of that great reward.
That is why, sister, I invite you to join me in daily remembering to maintain our focus on eternity, by always thinking about our true citizenship and the privilege of entering that glorious city, where we will be legitimate citizens and enjoy eternity with the King.