Day 16: The Restoration
“I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strengthened to do this good work.”
Nehemiah 2:18
I’ve always been a fan of Lego. Our boys have enjoyed it too, and most Christmases there some new sets around for building. One Christmas when I was young, I got a Lego spaceship. It was the biggest set I’d ever had, and while I don’t remember how long it took to build, it was certainly a good few hours.
The problem with Lego though, is that it’s made for building, breaking up, and building again. That Christmas, it wasn’t that long after I’d built my spaceship that my big sister dropped it… bricks everywhere… I was devastated after spending so long working on it!
After Israel had done their seventy years in exile, they began to return to their homeland. One hundred years after that, we meet Nehemiah, who was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Susa. He receives a report that things haven’t gone as well as hoped back home.
“The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and it’s gates have been burned.”
Nehemiah 1:3
Nehemiah prayed right away, with tears. He was broken hearted for his homeland – it was in ruins, and defenceless.
Later, King Artaxerxes noticed Nehemiah wasn’t himself, and again after praying, Nehemiah poured out his heart to the king, and asked that he could go back to help rebuild Jerusalem.
With the blessing of the king, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, and began to investigate the job in hand.
So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strengthened to do this good work.
Nehemiah 2:17-18
Nehemiah knew the task ahead was huge, and knew that his only hope was that the Lord would be the one to ensure the work was done. They faced opposition and difficulty along the way, but they got the job done, by God’s grace. Nehemiah worked hard, but he did so with his heart trusting his God.
It wouldn’t be that long until Jerusalem was in ruins again, this time destroyed by the Romans in AD70. Not that different from my Lego Spaceship.
Jesus came to make a way for his people to live eternally in an unbreakable kingdom. By being born in human likeness, dying the death of sinners, and defeating death, he has prepared the way to the most secure city.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”
John 14:1-2
The way to this place of security is belief. Our efforts won’t keep us secure, death will one day break us all. Faith in Jesus provides security that nothing else can, and not even death can ruin that hope.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29
All things in this world will break, not just Lego. Let’s trust Jesus today for our security, knowing that everything else will let us down. Let’s work to help others put their faith in Jesus, knowing that God is the one who must truly bless the work.
Written by Pete Bell
A Thought to Remember: Jesus came to secure an eternal city.
A Bit More to Read: Nehemiah 2, Hebrews 12:28-29
A Question to Ask: How does the security of eternity give us security today?
A Song to Sing: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
A Picture for the kids: Wall