Arise & Build

Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. —Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NASB1995)

When Nehemiah heard about the broken down condition of Jerusalem and the survivors being in great distress, he wept and mourned, but he also fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (See Nehemiah 1:3-4) In Nehemiah 2:4, when the king asked Nehemiah what was his request, Nehemiah prayed before he responded. (See Nehemiah 2:4) And the king granted him all that he requested because the good hand of his God was on him (See Nehemiah 2:8) Throughout the rebuilding of the wall, Nehemiah continually prayed to God when dealing with their enemies. In Nehemiah 4:20, he reminded the people: “Our God will fight for us.” So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, and all the nations surrounding them lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of God. (See Nehemiah 6:15-16)

When you encounter a bad situation, don't despair. Always turn to God in prayer. Yahweh is a very present help in trouble. If it seems your life is in shambles, He will indeed provide exactly what you need to arise and build, but you must be willing to do the work.