Nehemiah 3
by Susanne Moore
“One day at a time, sweet Jesus. That’s all I am asking from you.” Back when I was a teenager this song would play on the television when I would be visiting my daddy in Dallas. He was newly ousted from the Church of Christ because they said he did not have a biblical reason for divorcing my mother and remarriage. So he became a charismatic believer and always watched the 700 club. Thus, where I learned this song.
Many songs and scriptures I remember from childhood spring up from the wellspring of my soul when they are needed. Our next step is to slowly re-build new gates, doors, pathways to our new self cautiously but also one day at a time with Jesus as our guide. It is not lost on me in the most recent seasonal change that I too was hurt by well meaning, somewhat jaded by misinterpretation of scripture, officially forgiven individuals.
However, now that I have a newly defined, freshly grown, scriptural power circle I can examine the first gate with confidence. Do you have this type of support? Please do not begin rebuilding without first doing the prep work and seeking out your warriors to walk with you.
How do we go through the door of change?
My past journeys would say just keep moving, stay busy, sign up for new things God will work out the details. I have learned my lesson. In 2019 when I found myself sitting in rubble, my past flashed before me like a neon sign the size of the heavens. Stop the insanity. No more abuse. What are boundaries? Who is this person in the mirror? How did I choose this same destructive pattern again? How do I heal and become new?
Nehemiah in chapter 3 has the Jews rebuilding one gate, one wall at a time. This is one of those chapters that is skipped by most readers because it is so monotonous like the begat chapters in Genesis and Chronicles. Do not skip it, it is powerful. They built each gate, door, tower, and section by supporting each other. Good counsel. Do you see it? Together they rebuilt the wall in 52 days. WOW. Guess what? They did not go it alone or blindly, or without counsel. They were successful because they followed the right Blueprint.
Rebuilding involves much more than stacking bricks. You need to tear out the broken pieces, God heals our wounds. Scars might be visible, but you do not keep covering them up and expect the foundation to hold. You build a firm foundation on Jesus. He is the mortar, and you spit out the Kool-Aid and drink the living water into your parched empty soul with your friends who help you see truth, lies, and danger up ahead. Mortar takes water to soften and spread. Living water fills the spaces.
Listen I have a 7- or 8-inch zipper scar on my right arm from the enemy. I have a metal plate and 13 screws in that arm. I have scars you cannot see too. However, I am strong and fortified for having gone through it. Did you know after a break your bones grow stronger? My scars are part of my rebuilding and one day, when I see Jesus all of that will not matter at all, I will be made perfect. You will too.
Be watchful, and listen to your healthy, prayerful counsel. The enemy will always be trying to kick you behind your knee. He is a conniving weasel of a fallen creature, who has no chance of winning long term. The enemy has no power in this house of God. We belong to Jesus. We can, just like the Jews, rebuild and rebuild, and rebuild unto Christ comes. We are part of his chosen people if you choose Jesus.
Find the first gate, make the first step. Put in the work. Nail in the truth. Hammer in God’s word. Fortify your city with truth.
Susanne Moore 