Nehemiah: God's Invitation to RebuildÀpẹrẹ
God's Work Is Complete
There's a surreal sense of accomplishment in finishing, right? It's the finish line at the end of a marathon, the walk across the stage after four years of all-night study sessions, and the completed picture that makes the puzzle seem worthwhile. Our minds can't help but crave this idea of completion.
After 52 days of zealous work, the wall was complete. It was 52 days of gladness, pain, joy, and struggle. In verse 16, it says that the enemies lost all confidence. I want to think that this isn't just because the physical wall was finished; rather, it showed that God had been sovereign from the beginning. God always knew the wall would be rebuilt.
While we may not be physically building a wall, we can rest knowing that God knows the full story of our lives. All that he asks is for us to follow him along the way faithfully. We can have peace knowing that when we reach heaven, we will finally be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
- Do you find yourself longing for the future rather than walking where God has you today? How can you meet with God where you are?
- Take a moment to consider how God is consistent throughout the journey and the ending.
Prayer: God, in you alone, I find completion. Thank you for holding it all together so I don't have to!
Bonus Reading: Nehemiah 1:3-4; John 19:28-30
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Often touted as a “leadership” book, Nehemiah is rich in application. The way Nehemiah led the exiled Israelites in Persia to rebuild and reoccupy Jerusalem was as much an exercise in surrender and supplication as it was leadership and strategy. In this 21-day reading plan, we’ll look to Nehemiah as a role model in prayer, obedience, perseverance, and, yes, leadership.
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