HomeGrownSample

Structure:
The Bible provides numerous examples of the importance of structure and planning in fulfilling God's mission. Today, we'll examine how these biblical principles of structure and organization can help us produce lasting fruit.

God's Word says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:1-3, NASB). The Word of God has creative ability. To create new thoughts and develop new ways of thinking, it's smart to start with the Word. The Word is God! All things come into being through Him—the Word! I refused to sit around and listen or dwell upon those lying thoughts any longer. The Word of God created in me a new way of thinking—and it wasn’t long until that negative, condemning way of thinking was gone.

One reason many people give up, quit, go back, throw in the towel, and lose their effectiveness, is because they try to fight a spiritual battle with natural means. Eventually, the enemy will win. These battles must be fought with the Word of God. It’s the Word of God that will put you over.

Now, let's take a look at Nehemiah. Nehemiah’s story begins in Susa, where he served as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Learning that Jerusalem's walls were in ruins, Nehemiah prayed fervently, confessing Israel’s sins and asking for favor to rebuild the walls (Nehemiah 1:4-11).

Nehemiah approached the king with a well-thought-out plan, requesting leave to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, letters for safe passage, and timber from the king’s forest (Nehemiah 2:1-8).

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Nehemiah inspected the walls discreetly by night, assessing the damage and formulating a strategy (Nehemiah 2:11-16). This careful preparation was crucial in understanding the extent of work required and planning effectively.

Nehemiah shared his vision with the people, motivating them by emphasizing the disgrace of their situation and the opportunity to restore Jerusalem's glory (Nehemiah 2:17). His testimony of God’s favor inspired the people to unite and say, “Let us rise up and build” (Nehemiah 2:18). Nehemiah's ability to inspire and unite the community was crucial to the project's success.

Nehemiah’s structured approach divided the work among various groups, assigning specific sections of the wall to different families (Nehemiah 3:1-32). This division of labor ensured efficient progress and fostered a sense of ownership. Nehemiah also addressed internal issues, implementing reforms to restore economic justice, crucial for maintaining unity and morale (Nehemiah 5:1-13).

Just 52 days after starting, the wall was complete. It was a testament to Nehemiah’s leadership, the people’s dedication, and God’s blessing (Nehemiah 6:15-16). The completion brought great joy and renewed confidence to Jerusalem’s inhabitants, serving as a powerful witness to God’s provision.

Nehemiah’s story is a powerful example of building something that lasts through prayer, planning, leadership, resilience, and structure. By following his example, we can ensure our work bears fruit that remains, glorifying God and fulfilling what He has called us to do.