Sound of Surviving Blog

In Nehemiah, we read about how the Israelites had to start over after being exiled from Jerusalem. They weren’t starting over with just empty buildings or being kicked out and coming back again; the Israelites had to completely rebuild and start from scratch. Ezra had to rebuild the Temple, and Nehemiah had to rebuild the wall to protect the city. I imagine that these two men were pretty discouraged about being dealt with tasks that seemed impossible.

Have you ever had to start over from scratch? It’s a very discouraging place to find yourself. Whether it be with a new job, or a new home, or moving to a new city or state, or something else, it’s never easy. Maybe right now, your life feels like the city of Jerusalem was in Ezra and Nehemiah’s time, in ruins. We don’t see how anything good could possibly come out of the rubble and the ruins of our lives. In Nehemiah 4:10, it states, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves, we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”

But one of the most amazing things about knowing Christ is that he can do the impossible. He can rebuild rubble into a beautiful masterpiece. And he isn’t just sitting there watching us try to figure it all out. He is walking with us through the wreckage of our lives, rebuilding our city walls. God can do the impossible, the unimaginable, in our lives, and he will, if we continue to look to him and trust in him with all our hearts.

By ourselves, rebuilding from scratch is terrifying and impossible. But when we walk with God, all things are possible. Nehemiah, after being told by so many that what he’s trying to do is impossible, states in Nehemiah 4:14, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” If we just keep walking through the fire and the wreckage, clinging to God, if we just keep fighting, he will help us, and guide us. God will never forsake or forget us.

God can help us rebuild our Jerusalem. After all, if God can help the Israelites rebuild a whole city, imagine what he can do with your life. He can turn our rubble and chaos into a masterpiece of beauty and strength.