Strengthened Hands
Today’s Verse:
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. ~Nehemiah 2:18
There is an old saying: “Many hands make light work.” It is a way of saying that more participation and involvement result in greater and swifter achievement. Nehemiah took on a challenge that no one else had the courage, faith, determination, and desire to do. He needed buy-in from the leaders at Jerusalem to come alongside of him. Let us see how his request was answered and what this means for us.
We see the vexation.
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” Nehemiah described the unfortified predicament at Jerusalem as the distress that they were in. The walls and gates that had been burned and left in ruins one hundred years before were in the same condition. This situation indicated the apathy, weakness, low morale, and defeated attitude that was prevalent among the Jews. It was acknowledged that it was a problem, but it was a bigger problem than the people felt they could fix. There will always be vexation if we believe that our problems are bigger than us and God.
We see the vision.
“Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” Nehemiah gave the priests, nobles, and rulers hope. He gave them a vision for walls and gates that could be repaired and restored. His vision called for total involvement. His vision told them that this was a project that they could accomplish. His vision told them that their testimony in the land could be repaired, and instead of being seen as a beaten and weak people, they could be seen as a people who had purpose, resolve, unity, and determination to take a stand.
We see the validation.
“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me.” He proceeded to tell them of how God answered his prayer and showed him that He could help them do this. God’s hand was on his request to the king. God’s hand was on his request for a leave of absence to help build the walls. God’s hand was on his need for resources to build. Nehemiah told them “So it pleased the king to send me.” God validated the building of the walls and gates as commissioned by Him.
We see the volunteers.
“And they said, Let us rise up and build.” After they heard the vision and validation of God through Nehemiah, they immediately said, “Let us rise up and build.” They needed godly leadership to lead them: now they had it. They needed to know that God gave His permission: Nehemiah testified of God’s hand upon him and that he was ready to get his hands dirty. There was 100% buy-in. There was a new excitement and enthusiasm about the walls and gates that had not been seen since the days when the temple was rebuilt. They were committed volunteers!
We see the valor.
“So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” They embraced their hands to build. They extended their hands to build. They empowered their hands to build. There was courage, commitment, and confidence. Strengthened hands tells us that they were ready and willing to accept the risks and rewards for building. Be sure that God gives you His green light for any project on your heart, and when He does, strengthen your hands for this good work.
Have a strengthened God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 6-8