God Speaking

“They replied, “Let us start rebuilding”, so they began this good work.”

(Nehemiah 2: 18)

Just recently one of my granddaughters and her husband had destructive water damage in their town house. Water flooded from a broken pipe damaging walls and floors, rebuilding these walls was necessary. When walls are damaged anxiety and fear erupts as what was once protective no longer is. 

We have a wonderful story in the Old Testament about this. Nehemiah had been in Israel when enemies destroyed Jerusalem and the Israelites had been dispersed, eventually he was able to get King Cyrus to allow him to back. He was horrified to see the walls once protecting Jerusalem were shattered, but he knew God had a plan and he rallies those who were still there to have the courage to rebuild. 

What protects us in life can also be shattered leaving us feeling defenseless and fearful, it may be not always brick walls, but a sudden unexpected change in our lives, a job loss, the loss of a loved one, natural disasters destroying complete homes, but there are also other times in life when we feel defenseless. I have a dear friend who has suffered a stroke, waking up in an unfamiliar hospital room, has left her feeling that all that had made her feel secure has gone. 

In ancient days, cities were surrounded by a fortress, a solid wall to prevent intruders and keep all inside safe. This is what Nehemiah was gathering others to repair. The image that God is our fortress is repeated over and over in Scripture. 

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18: 2)

When life looks like it is crumbling around us, the strong fortress who is our God will protect us, take away anxiety and fear. 

The other lesson we learn from Nehemiah’s story is that others gathered around him to help him to rebuild. We also can do this for others. When the water damage upset my granddaughter and her husband’s lives, family stepped in, finding a place to stay, minding their little son, providing meals, slowly building new walls to take away anxiety and worry. The same for my friend in hospital, family took turns to stay with her, friends came by with love and reassurance so once again she could feel the fortress that God was giving her. 

We need to be aware when someone we know is facing damaged walls in their life and when we can step in and help with the re building. Most of Paul’s letters remind his readers to encourage one another, we can do this and remind them that they have a Fortress surrounding them, their Loving Father. 

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)