「Rebuilding the wall」 Nehemiah2

There are often times when life does not proceed as we had hoped. A small man looking disconsolate, was seated at a bar with a glass of beer in front of him. A big man came and sat beside him and took his beer and scoffed the lot! The little man started crying and said, “Today has been the worst day of my life. I was late for work and my boss got mad and fired me. When I set off to return home I found that my car had been stolen. I got a taxi home but left my wallet in the taxi. When I reached home I found a note from my wife saying, “I`m sick of you. I want a divorce.” I put poison in my beer hoping to end my life and you came and drank it all”

In BC 445, Nehemiah was appointed as governor of Jerusalem but he did not receive any salary. He began work on rebuilding the wall but was troubled by opposition from the locals. This happened 90 years after the Babylonian captivity and 70 years after the temple had been rebuilt. Despite various problems, the wall was rebuilt in 52 days. When we remember that it took 20 years to rebuild the temple it is amazing that the wall was rebuilt in such a short time. This was something that God made possible. It is important for a leader not to give up but to be persistent. Nothing will be achieved if the leader is weak and does not encourage the workers to keep on in order to achieve their goal and complete the work. After Hitler had invaded a number of countries in Europe Churchill rallied the people in Britain saying, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat….without victory there is no survival.” 13th May 1940.

To sort out a problem it is necessary to assess the situation correctly. When Nehemiah saw the broken-down state of the wall he wept, fasted, prayed and then went to inspect it. He realized that in order to repair the wall meticulous preparation was necessary and that to avoid obstruction his inspection needed to be done in secret. A leader needs accurate information in order to plan. Careful planning is a prerequisite for success. Before a conflict, spies are sent to assess the enemy`s position and strength and the side with better information is at an advantage.

.One of the reasons that the Japanese army lost during the Pacific conflict was that the US army were better at collecting data. Their ability to decipher code was far superior to the Japanese army so they were able to predict the moves of the opposing army. Nehemiah anticipated opposition and made preparations accordingly. In order for the work to continue it was necessary to appoint guards and armed soldiers ready to defend. He divided the workers into those assigned to building and those assigned to defence. Better results are achieved when people are able to concentrate on the work for which they are suited rather than being assigned to something they are not good at doing. In any organization or company division of labour and responsibilities is necessary for success. Shared responsibilities and teamwork are vital for an organization`s growth. “From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields bows and armour.” Nehemiah 4:13-18.

The secret of success for any couple, company or church is for individuals not to be stubborn but to be humble, recognize the abilities of others and work together. Another reason for the defeat of the Japanese army was that the Navy and Military were at loggerheads with each other. “No person will make a great business, who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.” Andrew Carnegie. Trust and love are the bonds necessary for working together. “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” I John 5:4. “The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16.

May we, the church, as we spread the good news of Jesus, resist the attacks of the enemy, pray, work together and trust one another as we are bound together in love.