The book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah, cup-bearer to the King, asking about the state of affairs in Jerusalem. He was told that the walls around the city were still broken down and many of the people, who had been taken into captivity by the nation’s enemies many years prior, were in affliction. From his reaction and from further happenings in the book of Nehemiah I believe that the Lord had placed a burden for the people and for the city of Jerusalem on Nehemiah’s heart. Nehemiah was greatly upset when he heard the news.
We Need Modern-Day Nehemiahs
RUBBLE
Have you ever looked at the rubble of the life/career/project and think there’s no way out? Hang on! Nehemiah has the answer! Your project/career/personal life can be rebuilt.
FOUR LESSONS FROM NEHEMIAH’S RUBBLE
- Nehemiah wept over the condition of the people. Nehemiah repented on behalf of the people
- I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 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.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Neh. 1:2-4
- AS CHRISTIAN WRITERS, WE HAVE TO KNOW OUR AUDIENCE, TO SEE THEIR FLAWS, THE GAPS IN THE WALLS OF THEIR LIVES. OTHERWISE, HOW WILL WE MINISTER TO THEM? LIKEWISE, WE HAVE TO CONFRONT THE SEASONS OF RUBBLE IN OUR OWN LIVES. Weeping over the devastation (of my situation & those hurting around me). Start the writing experience with prayer, asking for God’s will before you pen one word.
- Nehemiah took risks. He approached the King on behalf of the people.
- I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Neh. 2:3
- WRITERS FACE RISKS EVERY DAY – BEING VULNERABLE; PLACING THEIR GIFT OUT THERE; FACING EDITORS, AGENTS, CRITICS, AMAZON
- Nehemiah carefully examined the damage in all of its detail so he could know exactly what he was dealing with
- By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. Neh. 2:13-16
- WE ALL FACE RUBBLE: Personal life AND writing (2006 – 2007, giving up)
- OUR BOOKS/WRITINGS NEED TO BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED SO THAT THE “LOOSE PARTS” (RUBBLE) CAN BE PROPERLY REPAIRED.
- Nehemiah PLANNED for a successful rebuilding
- MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR WRITING. IS IT A CAREER OR HOBBY?
Rebuilding
- Nehemiah rallied the troops and encouraged them before the work began, letting them know about God’s favor on him thus-far. He defied the opposition of Judah’s enemies on all sides—Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistines
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. Neh. 2:17 – 18WRITERS RALLY AROUND ONE ANOTHER; LIFTING HANDS/HEARTS. It takes a village to rebuildGod always works through a committed minority. Only a few thousand Jews lived in Jerusalem, yet look what they accomplished. The Twelve turned the world upside down.People swept in around me when I was in rubble and they said “I’ll roll up my sleeves and help”
Same with books/career: Look for people who will sweep in around you and help you build that book or career into a thing of beauty. Don’t go to the nay-sayers. Go to the fellow builders, folks with muscle (spiritual, craft, etc.)
2. Nehemiah created a practical plan, dividing the workload and not putting too much emphasis on any one person or group. 52 days!
JUST ONE MORE REASON WHY WE NEED A PLAN OF ACTION.
RECOVERY TAKES CALCULATED TIME. (TALK ABOUT MY GOALS WORKSHEET.) WE CAN NEVER TRY TO GUESS HOW LONG (OR SHORT!) We can’t expect to get published (etc) in a short time. On the other hand, we might have a 52-days experience. Point is, BEAUTY CAN RISE FROM ASHES!
3. Nehemiah was ready when the enemy reared his head mid-way through the re-building. He used careful strategy so as not to fall into the enemy’s hands in the middle of the project.
WE NEED TO BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR ATTACKS. SOME PEOPLE WON’T LIKE WHAT WE’RE DOING AND THE ENEMY CERTAINLY DOESN’T LIKE IT!
4. When the workers grew weary, (and it looked as if the rubble was too great), Nehemiah encouraged them. When they grew afraid of the enemy, Nehemiah stationed guards behind the lowest points of the exposedplaces.
You are either one or the other here today: you need your arms lifted OR you’re God is calling you to lift another writer’s arms. We’re not motivated by our “feelings.” If we are, then we’re going to be crushed in this business.
Fortified City
- As the work finished up, Nehemiah made sure there were no gaps in the wall
- As soon as a situation seems “healed” check and double-check to make sure there are no gaps – that the enemy has no more room for entrance
- The first thing Nehemiah did when the wall was rebuilt was to set doors in place with gatekeepers. He also appointed the Levites and singers
- Nehemiah registered the people (gave them a credibility)
- Give the testimony of what God has done in your midst – how He carried you out of tragedy. Give your story credibility
- Nehemiah called Ezra the scribe to bring the Word (the law of Moses) and it was read before the people, who wept (overwhelmed). He called the people to lay aside their tears and to celebrate, to live in booths and proclaim the word
- Stay in the Word/Have a heart of praise/Hang out with likeminded people/whatever you do, “proclaim the word” (don’t give up!)
When you’re a fortified city, the enemy can come in like a flood, but God will raise the standard (or the wall) of His blood. You will still go through it, but you’re fortified, you’re not turning back/Equate this to career. We are in constant need of being fortified, not just as writers, but as believers.
“GOD LONGS TO TAKE THE RUBBLE OF YOUR LIFE, YOUR CAREER,
AND, STONE ON STONE, BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING.
HE WILL USE OTHERS WITH SKILL AND TENACITY TO FILL IN THE GAPS.
IF YOU ALLOW HIM TO DO THIS WORK, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU WILL BECOME A FORTIFIED CITY, UNSTOPPABLE WHEN THINGS AROUND YOU CRUMBLE.”
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.
