No DIY Projects

 “The God of heaven will give us success.”  Nehemiah 2:20 

Under the cover of darkness, Nehemiah guided his horse through the Valley Gate and turned east.  Even at night, the sad state of Jerusalem’s walls could be clearly seen.  Piles of rubble lay where it had fallen over a century before during Babylon’s brutal conquest of the Jewish capital.  Though the smoke had long cleared, charred ruins of the city’s gates still remained on the ground.  Nehemiah’s moonlight survey visibly confirmed the troubling reports he had previously received.  

He had arrived in town only three days earlier.  Driven by holy desire to restore Jerusalem, Nehemiah had courageously requested leave from his position as cupbearer to the Persian king and had asked for royal letters granting safety and supplies.  The few citizens of the devastated city needed someone to come to their aid.  Without walls to provide protection, security, and identity, they lived in constant danger and disgrace, and little came easy as they tried to piece back together their own lives and their nation’s legacy.

The need was obvious, and the right project manager had come to take on the task.  Nehemiah assembled the people and assigned duties.  “Eliahib the high priests and his fellow priests went to work to rebuild the Sheep Gate…Uzziel, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section of the wall; and Hanahiah, of the perfumers, made repairs next to that.  Shallum repaired the next section with the help of his daughters”(Neh 3).  

As the people stepped in to help, opposition stepped up to harm.  Nearby Gentile officials began to ridicule and misrepresent the work.  They accused Nehemiah of leading a rebellion and plotting a revolt.  Instead of taking time to retaliate, Nehemiah “prayed to God and posted a guard”(Neh 4:9).  He reminded the people of God’s great power, and they “did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other”(Neh 4:17).

In only fifty-two days, the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt.  At the dedication ceremony, two large choirs gathered to “celebrate joyfully with songs of thanksgiving”(Neh 12:27).  Though completed by His people, the project had been God’s plan from start to finish.  Much gratitude was due the One who had moved the heart of His servant, guided the response of the king, and supplied strength and safety for the workers.  Small wonder both choirs were big.  

When work needs to be done, step in boldly.  Find some friends who’ll join you.  Don’t quit when times get tough.  And don’t let distractions slow you down.  When the project is complete, you don’t have to call a choir, but take the time to say thank you to the One who helped you get through it and helped you get through with it.  

Because the blueprint of our lives has been drawn up by the Master Designer, no project ever has to be Do-It-Yourself.

Give thanks.