Hidden Heroes Of Faith: Nehemiah Series

It’s impossible. Not only is that what everyone else is telling you, but you’re also telling it to yourself. And yet, what if the impossible were to happen? What if you were to do it? For some people, that question of what if might light the fire within and give them the strength to accomplish. No doubt, it might be enough to get going for you. Yet, that is not the only fire brewing within your belly.

Typically we have these deep conversations with ourselves when we’re about to set off for a new business venture or a some athletic goal like running a marathon. My question to you today is why can’t we ask this of ourselves with our faith too? Is there something wrong with exerting ourselves and pushing and dreaming and striving when it comes to this? Asking how we might improve ourselves, or our church? Absolutely not! In fact, we should be doing this even more. You’re in the midst of a battle right now. You need to be geared up. You need to be steeled, or as God says, equipped with his own armor.

So let’s ask that question of ourselves in regard to faith: Why is it that the impossible is impossible? Who says so? Your enemies? Your mind? Do you really think either of you have that kind of authority to say so? I think not.

Nehemiah and the remnant were also in the battle for their lives, both physically and spiritually speaking. After having been taken away into captivity for around 70 years, a remnant of Judah returned to their promised land. However, due to the arrogance and idolatry of their ancestors, it was not much of a home to return to. Everything lay in ruins. Rubble as far as the eye could see. No temple. No walls. And enemies all around.

On all sides, north, south, east, and west were their enemies, none of whom wanted to see the Israelites rise back up. And so, when the Israelites began to rebuild their walls, a defensive must at this time in history, these enemies were incensed. Partly because they did not want someone else in their territory, partly at the arrogance of the Jews. Simply by attempting to build the walls was a potshot at their egos. Walls are not easily constructed. It would take a great deal of time to just raise one wall, let alone all the walls surrounding the city. Could not their enemies come at any moment and strike before the Jews had completed their task? Most definitely.

Yet, the Jews went about at this Herculean task nonetheless. What other hope did they have? So when news of the rebuild reached the ears of their enemies, their enemies set their sight on war. They could not allow the Jews to regain a foothold in the region. Especially not at a place so defensible as that of Jerusalem, high upon a hill.

So what could the Israelites do? Trust in their government? True enough, it was the king of the Medes and Persians who had given his permission for them to return and rebuild. But would he lift even a finger to help if his other vassals were to attack the Jews? What, in the end, were the Jews to him? No, this is not someone they could count on.

With everything faced against them, it would be unfair to blame the Jewish people for being scared. They were in an impossible situation facing impossible odds. It is no wonder why we have these verses recorded for us in Scripture: Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” 11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

Yet, even though there was cause to fear, there was greater reason to stand in awe. For, right before their eyes, the impossible was going to become possible. Nehemiah, the leader of the people told them, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Their enemies may have been fearsome, but God was fear itself. These enemies stood between him and bringing about his Son to this world to save. That is not a position anyone wants to be in. God will stop at nothing to bring about any of his Word. How much more would he do if the possibility of the Savior himself was on the line? With that, God went to work: 15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. 16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. 19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”