Answering the Questions

And in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?" Nehemiah 4:2 (New International Version)

The decision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah came up against criticism and skepticism by the enemies of God and His people. The same will be true for us whenever we take steps to draw closer to God, allow Him to work in our life, or begin rebuilding areas in our life. We have an enemy (Satan) who will be the quickest and loudest to bombard us with questions which are intended to discourage, distract, and dishearten us, but we can take refuge in the truths of God’s Word and the truth of Who is actually working in us!

Two questions stand out to me from today’s verse that reflect some wrong mindsets I once held. “Will they restore their wall?” and “Can they finish in a day?“ Many have been the times when I thought I was one to do the restoring of areas in my life. If things had gone awry and I had gotten off tack I was under the impression that it was up to me to “fix” myself or my situation. Whether it was an area of bondage, addictions, sinful habits, character flaws, or insecurities, I actually believed I needed to somehow muster up the internal fortitude to bring about desired change. What I learned was THAT NEVER WORKS. While I may see some change, it will never be deep enough or last long enough. God is the One who promises to do a new work in me and God is the One who will bring about the transformation. It is true I must be willing to let Him work and cooperate with Him as He works, but He is the Restorer of my life, soul, and spirit. Therefore, I do not have to buy into the lie of Satan or myself that it is all up to me. Just as God enabled the Jews to work and protected them as they worked, He will do the same for me (and you).

At the same time, that which took years to “mess up” will certainly not be restored in a single day! That, too, was a lie that had to go. My spiritual journey, as well as yours, will last a lifetime. If I don’t understand that simple truth I will set myself up for disappointment and disillusionment when the change I am looking for is not quickly forthcoming. It is imperative that I look for the small changes that God brings about on a daily basis. That from time to time I look back and see advancements that have been made. I hang on the words of my Abba Father who promised to finish the work He started in me and when that is the case there will be NO doubt who did the work! He alone deserves the praise and glory for all that He does!

Father, I trust You for that which needs to be done in me and I trust You to work within Your perfect time table. Amen.