“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work.”
(Nehemiah 4:6)
THE rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s time ran into some stiff opposition. Daniel had prophesied that the walls would be built again “even in troubled times” (Daniel 9:25), and they surely were. In our verse we have a record of the building during troubled times. This building succeeded because there was persistence in the work, progress in the work, and passion for the work.
Persistence in the work. “So built we the wall.” Too often when opposition comes, the resulting “so” is more like “so we quit.” But Nehemiah and his fellow Jews did not quit working on the walls in Jerusalem when opposition raised its ugly head. They persisted in their work. One scholar translated this statement, “We still built the wall” which expresses the persistent well. One of the most effective ways to defeat the enemy is to keep doing God’s work. Don’t quit when ridicule or other opposition attacks. Keep going.
Progress in the work. “All the wall was joined together unto the half thereof.” During this time of opposition, the people succeeded in getting the wall completely joined together and halfway finished in its height. They made great progress in spite of the opposition. We can make progress even though difficulties abound. God is not weak but can help us in times of trouble as well as good times (Psalm 46:1).
Passion for the work. “The people had a mind to work.” Having a mind to work was another of the important keys to the success of the people in building the wall. Having a mind to work will keep one working regardless of how difficult the task is or how great the opposition is. One of the great needs of our society is people who have a mind to work. Much of the poverty in our land that politicians make so much over is because people do not have a mind to work. The welfare bunch are often lazy, immoral sluggards who spend much of their time lounging before TV, eating junk food, and drinking booze. A mind to work would stop all this nonsense.
Rev. Dr. Kary E. Harris, PhD.