Under God’s Hand: Building the Church Together

[Ne 2:17-18, NIV]

17 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."

18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

Rebuilding Jerusalem was no small task. It was a work that all the people had to shoulder together. Nehemiah 3 repeatedly shows each person faithfully restoring the section and the gate in front of him. This is how the kingdom of God and the church are built—together. If only a few serve or function, the church cannot be healthy. Just as our whole body is at peace and healthy only when each part fulfills its role, so the church is made complete when each member keeps his or her place. Thus Scripture says we are the body of Christ and members of it.

Yet as the work progressed, opposition intensified. In chapter 4, not only do external forces appear to mock and threaten those laboring to rebuild Jerusalem, but even among the Israelites there are some who speak negatively about the rebuilding and try to dissuade others. Nehemiah’s response was clear: he answered mockery with prayer and threats of attack with vigilance. Half the people worked while the other half stood armed, and even those who worked held tools in one hand and a weapon in the other (Nehemiah 4).

It is the same in our lives. There are parts where we must literally work with our hands and strive, and there are parts we must guard spiritually—staying awake, praying, contending, and keeping watch. Faith gains strength when practical labor and spiritual vigilance go hand in hand.

A more deadly crisis often comes from within rather than from without. Chapter 5 faces internal injustices in the community—famine, debt, and usury. Nehemiah convened an assembly, commanded that unlawful interest be stopped and what had been seized be returned, and he himself set an example by refusing the governor’s allowance.

We, too, both personally and corporately, must examine ourselves continually, returning to a holy life through repentance. As we maintain such a posture before the Lord, we will be able to fight the good fight of faith to the end. When the inside is purified, strength arises to withstand attacks from the outside.

In chapter 6, enticements, intimidation, false rumors, and even false prophecy are employed. Nehemiah remains focused on his mission, saying, “I am carrying on a great work and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3).

When we do God’s work, Satan scatters our focus through various threats, false reports, entertainment, busyness, and many other distractions. Such things waste our energy, time, and resources and slow the work of God. Therefore we must discern. We do not need to involve ourselves in everything, nor can we do everything. In our own homes, workplaces, and schools, we must concentrate on the call entrusted to each of us and on God’s calling for our church, and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to fulfilling those tasks.

As a result, the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul—in just fifty-two days (Nehemiah 6:15). This was an event that revealed before the enemies that God was with them.

But completion was not the end. In 7:1–3, Nehemiah appointed gatekeepers, singers, and Levites, and established a sustainable order by regulating when the gates would be opened and closed and by organizing the guard system.

Now the city and its walls that have been built up must be guarded and maintained well. Therefore Scripture tells us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” The devil divides, but the Holy Spirit makes us one. The same is true for church and home. We must establish the order of worship and service, keep the lines of communication open, and continue the labor of protecting one another in love.

In sum, Nehemiah tells us this: build together (ch. 3), stand together against opposition (ch. 4), purify the inside (ch. 5), overcome plots by staying focused on the mission (ch. 6), and set order to keep what has been built (7:1–3). Therefore, in love and truth, and according to the will of God who makes us one in the Holy Spirit, may we pray and serve, and be offered and used as faithful and trustworthy people who firmly build up the church and our homes. I bless you in the name of the Lord.