1. What Needs to be Done?

“If the world is supposed to be this way, we don’t need to be dissatisfied with it. But acquiescence also robs us of the moral outrage to stand against injustice and the creative will to consider alternative ways that the world could work.” ― Adam M. Grant, Originals: How Nonconformists Move the World

There is always some contentment and discontentment in our lives. There are some things in life that we have a duty as Christians to rage against. What about slavery for example?

• The film “Amazing Grace” talked about the work of John Newton against slavery and the song. Alas, it is still a problem today.
• No More Traffik – Started in 2012. They are making people aware of ways to combat modern slavery & human trafficking.

What needs to be done? Do we go around shrugging our shoulders? Nehemiah is broken by what he sees in Jerusalem. You will never build the walls until you have first become greatly concerned about the ruins.

In Psalm 137 we can read about the inspiration for the popular “Rivers of Babylon” hit by Boney M. As the people of Israel were in exile by the rivers of Babylon they wept as they remembered their home Jerusalem. Jerusalem was in their heart even though they lived in Persia. It was true for Nehemiah. It is true for us. We are in a strange land don’t belong here. Our hearts are looking for a Heaven.

The increasing secular Western World has abandoned much of the Christian foundation and it looks like the influence is on the wane. We are becoming more and more in exile. However, it can be seen from the life of Nehemiah and others such as Daniel and Joseph that a life in exile doesn’t stop individuals having a positive influence on others in their own sphere.

2. Who is Going to do it?

In the book “Our Iceberg is Melting” by John Kotter there is a great analogy of the problems of managing change in a group of people. Louis is the Head Penguin and one of those opposing is a penguin called NoNo.

Nehemiah needs to do something but he needs other people to help. He needs to see the situation on the ground and mobilise the people. If the people can’t be motivated to rise up and build then it won’t happen! In Nehemiah 3 it is clear there are a host of people committed to doing it. They have invested themselves in the work. There are those that will not stoop to do the work. Those that are rebuilding are also motivated in securing their own section of the wall to keep themselves and family secure. There is even mention of daughters getting involved!

3. We can’t Expect it to be Easy

There will always be opposition. See in Nehemiah 3-6. It is always the wall (project) or the leader that comes under attack from enemies.

• They start with sarcasm by ridiculing what the people are doing. They want to use this negativity to stop people from rebuilding.
• It then steps up with threats of attack
• The people are then physically and emotionally drained. They then build with one hand and have a sword in the other!
• Spiritual refreshment – They are called to remember the Lord and fight for their families. Our confidence can be refreshed to a higher level if we remember these two things. If not the first, then do the second! If you need the second then you need a bigger vision.

We need to fight sometimes to see things change. We need to find our place in the wall and see the work through for God and for our family. What are we building now? It needs to be more than money as our inheritance.

Categories: Uncategorized