March 1, 2011 - Nehemiah 3, 4
I am trying to picture this...towers, broken walls, gates in disrepair, the pool of Bethesda and five roofed colonnades (cross references Nehemiah 3:32, Nehemiah 12:39, John 5:2) Well, my imagination falls short. I really wish there were accurate pictures of what that all looked like. what’s up with the Tekoites that would not stoop to serve their Lord? And how amazing is the fact that so may pitched in and not just men either. A father and two daughters are mentioned in the line-up. It seemed they each did what they could and by chipping away the work was getting done. If we were to just do what we could, just that and no more, what could we accomplish? Apply that idea to both physical and spiritual matters and just imagine the work that could be accomplished.
I was marveling at the fearlessness of the the people but thought about the fact that they set guards and held weapons as they built. They were afraid but they persevered anyway. Nehemiah reminded them that God was BIG...And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 (ESV)
And again here:
And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:19-20 (ESV)
The people trusted that their leader was hearing from God and they knew God's character. What more does a group of people need to get the job done?
Some staff meeting doodles:
