Joy Rebuilds Walls

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."

Nehemiah 4:10

Nehemiah encouraged those living in the ruins of Jerusalem by what God accomplished through them.  No matter the circumstance, God gives much more than an ability to merely endure a life falling in around you.  Nehemiah had a vision from God to rebuild Jerusalem, nonetheless, crumbling walls and broken down gates were not God’s mission; the mission, the work, included the walls, but the vision of God is to restore His people.  Although you may be in a ruined state, nowhere in God’s vision for you is there a motive to beat you down due to your shortcomings. 

You know your shortcomings, weaknesses, all the empty portions in your life, so does He, but, now is the time to rebuild.  God does not state the obvious, He didn’t tell those people in Judah the walls of Jerusalem had fallen; God’s vision was restoration.  God’s desire is not for you to collapse inward, as the walls of Jerusalem, that would only leave you weeping over a life falling in on you.  No, God’s desire is for you to have complete restoration by relying on Him, that you stop relying on your own might.  If your own strength was enough, then your heart wouldn’t be crushed nor your life falling in around you.  Accept that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). 

You may feel like the people in Jerusalem, that your strength is giving out, you life is in rubble and you can’t rebuild your life.  Christ restores more than the walls you build up around you, in your salvation He will completely renovate you and strengthen you, beginning in you, and then working through and out your walls.  The Lord begins by placing His Spirit, the essence of true joy, peace—indeed, His very presence in you.  Invite the Lord to clear away your rubble.  He will pour joy in to you, His very Spirit—He is the One who reaffirms you.  Without a doubt, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).  

Receive strength, receive Joy.

Owen <><