Shifting his aching shoulders against the cold stone wall, Nehemiah asked the young man what he meant. "Well," he began, fidgeting with the ram's horn in his hands, "you had a great job as cupbearer to the king, a room in the citadel, and all the food and wine you could ever want. Why did you trade your success and the luxury of the Persian court for this? For a disgraced ruin of a city you've never even seen before?"
The young man's question fell heavy on Nehemiah's heart like the heaps of rubble surrounding them. Why am I here, Lord? he thought to himself. The decision had seemed so clear back in Babylon, the burden for his people so poignant. God's favor had paved the road to Jerusalem with the assent of King Artaxerxes, a military escort, and an official letter granting him all the resources he needed.
But now? Now it seemed as though opposition waited at every turn. Godless men mocked, hurling insults and ridiculing Nehemiah's efforts. The constant threat of attack wearied his mind; the sleepless night watches and labor-laden days sapped the strength from his body. Morale was fading and the people were afraid. Doubt threatened to crumble their resolve like the pitiable, half-built wall surrounding them.
Once more Nehemiah lifted his gaze to the heavens in silent prayer, his own rally cry echoing in his mind. Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome! Fight! Our God will fight for us! "I'm here," he said in quiet confidence, "because what is important to the Lord is important to me. I'm here because there is good work to do, and good work is seldom easy." A glimmer of hope flashed in the young man's eyes. Nehemiah paused for a moment. "And I'm here because we are rebuilding more than just a wall—God is rebuilding the faith of His people."
Like Nehemiah, we sometimes find ourselves in what appear to be dead-end, fruitless, stressful seasons. The path that seemed so easy before is now fraught with adversity. We grow tired. Weary. Needy. All comfort is removed and our glaring insufficiency exposed. We become confused, wondering why in the world God would give us this work to do, only to allow a sea of inefficiencies and setbacks to overwhelm us. To our limited human understanding, God's ways seem counterproductive.
But while we are working with the stones and mortar of this world, God is working with materials unseen. We may think we are building walls, but beneath the surface God is building our faith. Physical burdens become the outward expressions of a God-burdened heart—a heart broken for the weak, the hurting, the poor, the defenseless. Weary places and weary souls become the setting for our most precious prayers. The work that seems impossible becomes the manifestation of God's mighty hand!
So let your trials be counted as joys—God is building your faith. In trusting the hidden work of the master Architect, we learn to walk by faith, not by sight. We take comfort in knowing none of our labor in the Lord is ever wasted. And we can say with confidence there is no triumph without toil, no development without dependence, no success without sacrifice, and no reward apart from remembering our great and awesome God and everything He has done for us! (Based on Nehemiah 1–6)
My Lord, You have placed me here—in this time and this place—for my good and Your glory. Thank You for the influence You’ve given me with family, friends and neighbors. Grant me favor for the tasks You have for me, and burden my heart for what breaks Your’s! May I rely on Your strength and not my own. Help me stand firm against opposition; help me fight against the enemy’s warfare; help me be vigilant that I might be victorious! Shelter me in the fortress of Your grace and there let me rest—assured or Your loving purposes for me, in me, and through me! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- Where are you in your life right now? If it’s not a place you expected to be, do you trust God is working in your trials and adversities?
- How is your faith stronger as a result of the trials you’ve already come through?
- What are some ways you can partner with God in His building up of your faith?