Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 6:1-19, Isaiah 9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5-6
Whether it’s creeping doubts or, in the case of Nehemiah, a determined band of enemies with names like Sanballat (boo!), the work that Christ has for us rarely goes unopposed.
As I consider the ways God has used His Word to call me to serve and go and share, I am bolstered by Nehemiah’s tenacious faithfulness. Though his opponents sought to distract and discourage him, Nehemiah stood firm. His eyes were on the prize. His mission was God’s glory. His feet were firmly planted in the idea that he was building something bigger than himself. When his enemies accused him of plotting a coup to take the throne, Nehemiah simply sent this message:
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3).
His words have the power to equip and encourage us. As we minister, as we obey, as we ask God to shape us into the image-bearers we were made to become, the voice of the enemy will continuously ring in our ears. But we do not have to listen. Christ is doing an important work in us, after all. There’s more to see. Nehemiah is pointing us toward something bigger.
Fast forward nearly 500 years past the construction of Nehemiah’s wall. Jesus, our Savior, hangs on a cross. Just like Nehemiah, Christ’s enemies accused Him of vying for a human throne. A sign carved by hatred was placed above His head, declaring sarcastically, “This is Jesus, King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37). Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the rest stood at the base of Nehemiah’s wall and hurled insults.
Christ’s accusers stood at the base of the cross and did the same.
“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Matthew 27:42).
Jesus didn’t flinch. He didn’t rush to His own defense. He didn’t climb off the cross and put His opponents in their place, though He certainly could have. His eyes were glued to the Father, and His mission was our salvation. With His actions Christ was, in essence, declaring, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”
Nehemiah rebuilt the temple walls, and Jesus rebuilt the temple. Nehemiah stayed the course until the wall was finished, and Jesus stayed on the cross until the veil was torn. Nehemiah couldn’t have known it, but he was declaring the gospel with his life and work. Because Jesus was not deterred by His accusers, we can declare the same.
I reckon Nehemiah would tell us there is no cost to count when compared to the privilege of pointing to Jesus. And through His death, Jesus declares there is no cost too high to pay in order to ransom us. With the gospel as our grid, we can stay the course, embracing Christ’s words as He reminds us,
“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life because of me will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).
Pick up your cross. Tune out the enemy. Let’s keep building.
Erin Davis is an author, blogger, and speaker who loves to see women of all ages run to the deep well of God’s Word. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.
I love this so much. I have always struggled with understanding how to live as a sacrifice like that on the cross. I knew nothing could compare; obviously, but I knew God wanted my ultimate sacrifice. Nehemiah 6 was that resolve for me. I teach Sunday School, Children’s Chapel, and am a Director for a Children’s Choir and I’ve never been able to fully relate in order to tell them how the power sacrifice should reflect in their daily lives. Nehemiah will be a great book to reference book. It’s truly incredible, this study, I feel like I’m reading the Bible with so much more interest than ever.
This scripture has left me in tears…how great, how glorious, how powerful and reckless my father is! I remain anchored in his grace and promise of faith!!!
I give too much power to negative people in my life. I ponder on their words and it brings me down. My prayer is to think and respond with Jesus’ wisdom; to be confident in handling people with the right words; and to recognize their ignorance and pray for them…that they have a change in heart. How awesome would it be to increase Jesus’ spirit and decrease the devils influence
I loved the parallels between Jesus and Nehemiah. They’d never been pointed out to me. I also loved verse 3. It is a reminder to keep doing what God has called you for and ignore those who want to bring you down. Great devotional!
I agree!
So good! “His Mission was God’s glory.” So simply put but what a powerful image! Nehemiah knew God would strengthen him & give him the wisdom he needed for this project because Nehemiah was close to God; he knew His voice & followed it!!
As a girl who tends to overthink, I love how simple minded Nehemiah is. He faces his enemies with easy replies. He faces opposition with prayer that asks for greater strength. He see’s the task God has laid before him, and he follows it. When I face opposition in my life, I want to be more like Nehemiah!
Me too!
I would love prayer for clarity. God is doing a great work in me, and I am so thankful. In that though, there is some confusion regarding my old relationship. There is a part of me, where I feel like all that I am reading and being enlightened to by the Holy Spirit points to restoration. Some days, I a m so very sure that is what God is doing. That is working on the impossible. And other days, I feel foolish and off base. That instead of it solely being about the work he is doing in me, I am applying everything to the relationship. I know deep down the battle has been won already, but I think its out of desire and if im honest, fear and self protection that I want to know that I am understanding Him correctly.
I am praying for you, Lindsey! I know God provides and He will lead you in His way!
Thank you, Mandy! I appreciate it so much and am so grateful for that truth!
Praying for you! May His word be a light to your path!
two things caught my attention in Nehemiah 6.
1. fear can come in a variety of ways; when fear enters my heart and my mind, my prayer will now be “Oh God, strengthen me”.
2. what seems impossible to complete from a human standpoint is always met with opposition, mocking, disbelief, etc.; however, if God has backed it, then it will come to fruition. after the walls was built in 52 days, the opposition and onlookers “perceived that this work was done by our God”.