Nehemiah 2:17-20
by Susanne Moore
New beginnings. What do you think of when you here this phrase? Most of the time I think of how many times I have had to start over. Each time is a challenge. I have fresh baggage that is quite heavy. There are so many reasons you find yourself at a crossroad and need a deep desire to change. Often it is woven together with fear, shame, bewilderment yet hopeful possibilities.
Do you know how many times Israel has been scattered or had to rebuild? Why are we in this precipice? Life. It can be because of our own sin, or from the sin of others, it can just be a season where God moves us: Kids move out. Grandkids come. Divorce. Loss of a loved one. So many things.
My new season began in 2019. It is nearing the end of 2023 and it has taken me that long to mourn, fast, pray, ask the Lord for what He wants, set myself up for success and to examine the ruins. Why? Because I determined in my heart I would do the necessary work to not make the same choices that landed me in ruins again.
How many times do we begin to work without preparation or consultation. Oh ladies too many times. Rebuilding involves repair, tearing out the old, finding new or deeper honesty with self about what you have carried with you each time this happens. Let’s begin the work in a more healed and genuine place. Find faithful, honest, kindred friends who will pray with you, come alongside you, help you and battle the enemy with you.
Nehemiah had a few with him when he was preparing and examining. They did not tell the others what he was up too and although it says he did not tell anyone you know they had thoughts about it, however, it seems they quietly waited while he did what he did. They were faithful. As soon as he said in vs 17, 18 of chapter 2 “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me” they replied vs 20 “Let us start rebuilding”.
These are the friends I want with me on my journey. I learned the hard way who stays with you in trouble and who runs. I have several amazing sisters in Christ who are my prayer warriors and a few more I know without a doubt I can call on for assistance. I am prayerful that each of you seek this absolutely necessary companionship for growth.
Those enemies who had been seeking to know and thwart or interfere with Nehemiah had to wait to hear it from Nehemiah himself. It says in vs 19 after they hear the plan to rebuild Jerusalem that the naysayers were mocking and ridiculing them. Not him, them. They took the heat right along with their friend.
Begin your work by sharing your plan and responding to the doubters, the flying monkeys, the group think crowds “The God of heaven will give us success, but as for you, you have no share” (vs 20) in this new place.
And, let’s do it one gate, one step at a time.
Susanne Moore 