Arise and Build II: Lessons Learnt from Nehemiah's Project

This message is the concluding part of the Arise and Build: Lessons Learnt from Nehemiah's Project. 

Nehemiah was a divinely directed project manager in charge of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Just like Nehemiah, we can collectively contribute to the building of the Kingdom of God on earth by taking more lessons from Nehemiah as follows:

7. Revived in Spirit
To build successfully, we must be revived spiritually.
Another lesson learnt from Nehemiah was that the people were revived in spirit. Nehemiah 8:1-6. 

By relying on Mr flesh or self strength, one will be stopped on the way especially when the going gets tougher. However, by relying on God, our strength is renewed and revived to continue in fulfilling His purpose. As believers, evangelism and supporting other brethren (love) should be our priorities so that we can all be strengthened to keep on serving the Lord faithfully.

Nehemiah 8:1-3 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate [a]from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

8. No compromise
Never compromise nor feel afraid while building the Kingdom of God.
In the course of journey of life and while building the Kingdom, there will be challenges, but we are encouraged not to compromise. Rather, we are to look unto God for help in time of need. Nehemiah 4:14-15 

Especially, if you are opportune to lead the people of God, please do not compromise your faith because when the faith of the leader is shaken, it indirectly affects or lower the morale of the team. Let's learn from Nehemiah, who recalled the promises of God and encouraged all to endure till the end of the building. Nehemiah rallied the people in the face of the threats from their enemies, by asking them to remember our great and awesome God.

Read also: 1 Corinthians 10:1, Nehemiah 2:20 , Romans 8:28 and Romans 8:37

Nehemiah 4:14-15 
14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
15 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

9. Preventing Problems 
Prevention is better than cure!
Whenever possible, let is take precautions to and put measures in place to prevent problems while building or growing up in life. 

​Nehemiah did not only know that opposition will arise, but he also understood wise ways to prevent those problems by equipping his team with weapons to scared the enemies away from their territory. Nehemiah 4:13

So, one of lessons learnt from Nehemiah is to be prepared, be alerted and be equipped to prevent problems that may face your purpose in life. 

Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

10. Commitment
Be fully committed to the work
The last but not the least of the lessons learnt from Nehemiah's building project is Commitment.

The whole Nehemiah's team of builders worked with passion and were fully committed to the work. Nehemiah 4:6. They never relented. They also sacrificed their comfort. They were driven by passion and were committed to the building of the wall. Another lesson is the workload was shared among the team and organised in shift pattern. They worked in shifts, and those not on duty were vigilant to raise alarm for signs of enemy intrusion. That is commitment. 

Commitment is 100% efforts intensified to achieve the common goals within the timeframe. All in all, we can say commitment is sacrifice. 

Nehemiah 4:6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, irrespective of your contribution in the Kingdom of God, we need to be committed and we must have 'a mind to work' like those who built the wall of Jerusalem.  

I trust that these lessons that we have learnt will help all of us to dedicate ourselves to be builders for the Lord. Let us be encouraged, to do all that we can to build God's kingdom while the window of opportunity is still open. May the Lord do a good and mighty work in our midst!!! May the Almighty God help us. Amen.

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