A Great Work

The Story

Nehemiah had a comfortable job as cupbearer to the king of Persia. Then he heard that Jerusalem’s walls were still broken down and its gates burned, leaving God’s people defenseless and disgraced. Nehemiah sat down and wept. For days, he fasted and prayed.

One day the king noticed his sad face and asked what was wrong. Nehemiah was afraid, but before answering, he shot up a quick prayer to the God of heaven. Then he asked to go rebuild the city. The king said yes, and even supplied the timber.

In Jerusalem, the opposition started immediately. Local leaders Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the workers. Tobiah joked that if even a fox climbed on their wall, it would collapse. When mockery didn’t work, they plotted an attack. So Nehemiah posted guards, and the builders worked with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other.

Then came the distraction. His enemies invited him to a meeting, planning to harm him. Nehemiah sent back: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” They sent the same invitation four times, and he gave the same answer every time.

The wall was finished in just fifty-two days. Even their enemies had to admit this work had been done by God.

Reflection