Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: WALL (02/17/22)
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TITLE: The Strategist 4 pillars | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene MCPherson
02/24/22 -
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The first was the power of prayers that undergirded the work of the rebuilding process. It all started when his brother, Hanani, and his friends visited Nehemiah, revealing to him the state of the country and those who survived the captivity.
"Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The walls of Jerusalem have been torn down. And the gates have been burned". (TouchPoint Bible, Neh1:3)
On hearing this terrible news, Nehemiah became despondent.
"I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted and prayed to the God of heaven…".
In his prayers, he reminded God that he is the keeper of his covenant, confessed his sins, and those of his people; then asked the Lord to listen to their dilemma and intervene. Continuing his prayer, he became convicted that this was his responsibility to build the walls, hence:
"Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success now as I go to ask the king for a great favor. Put into his heart to be kind to me" .(TouchPoint Nehemiah1:11)
God answered when the king observed the change in his countenance and eventually asked him what he wanted. He requested the king's resources to aid him, then assured the king of his return to his occupation as the cupbearer.
Even during Tobiah, the Ammonite, antagonism he prayed.
"Hear us, O God, for we are being mocked…"
The second pillar was a commitment to the task. Nehemiah made preparations with all the necessary resources. The king's letters permitted a safe journey to Judah and received timber needed in the construction. He even got human resources in the form of army officers, and horsemen (Nehemiah2:7-9)
He also viewed the sites to have firsthand knowledge of the problems. Then he outlaid his plans to the religious and political groups enlisting participation. When they all heard what Nehemiah had done they saw the need to work.
"Good! Let's rebuild the wall!"(TouchPoint Nehemiah 2:18.)
He was a trail-blazer and motivator. This third pillar encapsulated his task. Opposition against the rebuilding was a continuous challenge to all. They targeted and plotted against Nehemiah, the leader, and the Jews but with the Lord's wisdom, he unraveled the enemies' schemes and overcame them. He encouraged all the workers to be steadfast.
"Do not be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!"
This was a rallying call for them. He allowed half of them to work while the other half stood guard with their arms. All the laborers worked with one hand while the other hand had a weapon and a sword belted to their side. He strategically placed the workers in different areas prepared for any eventuality.
Nehemiah prudently instructed them that the blast of the trumpet aimed to congregate them together if there were a need.
"Then the Lord will fight for us"
As a leader, he was an exemplary team member. This fourth pillar commanded unity and trust. He listened and learned of the workers' burden of removing the rubbish with the fear of their enemies around them. Therefore, he employed safety measures.
He was a team player who worked alongside the others daily from morning till late evening. They did not even change their cloth, showing their dedication.
Completion of the walls took only fifty-two days. Their opponents realized that the Lord made this possible.
Imagine the Jerusalem walls completed in fifty-two days, what a feat! No more disgraced but now protected with a wall of defense and an area bordered and owned by them as a people. Nehemiah's pillars are clearly
a success blueprint for emulation.
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