How do you handle an overwhelming, impossible project? And make no mistake, the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem certainly fell into that category. Yes, some of the Jews who had been carried off into exile in Babylon had been allowed to return by the Persian kings (Ezra 1:1-4). And yes, they’d been able to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 6:15) and resume the worship of God as prescribed in the Law of Moses.

But there were very few people living in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:4), and no wonder – without a large, well-trained army, an ancient city without walls simply wasn’t safe. Instead, its citizens were subject to the depredations of any wandering band of thieves or thugs that might be passing by. The situation was so bad that, when Nehemiah heard about it, he wept and mourned for days (Nehemiah 1:4). And there was no way that the impoverished, powerless inhabitants of the city could do anything about it.

So, what did Nehemiah do? Yes, he used his influence with the king to request permission to rebuild the walls, along with considerable royal financial support (Nehemiah 2:5,8). Yes, he organized the citizens of Jerusalem to participate in the project (Nehemiah 2:17-18). Yes, he organized a defense force to deal with any enemy attacks that might bring the work to a halt (Nehemiah 4:13, 16-23). And yes, he contributed generously to the project, as well as to the cost of governing the province, so the people’s taxes wouldn’t have to be increased. (Nehemiah 5:14-16)

But throughout the whole process, Nehemiah continued in prayer. He fasted and prayed, asking God’s blessing on his efforts even before talking with the King about the project (Nehemiah 1:5-11). When enemies tried to put a stop to the project, Nehemiah prayed that God would foil their plans (Nehemiah 4:4-5, 9).

And his prayers indicated his complete dependence on God. In fact, he gave all the credit to God for the support he received from the King of Persia (Nehemiah 2:8, 18). He maintained that God was the One Who had frustrated the plans of their enemies (Nehemiah 4:15), and that God would continue to fight for His people, no matter what opposition they might face (Nehemiah 4:20).

And we can have the same hope, for we serve the same God. So, no matter how difficult the problems we may face today, let us hold them before the Lord in prayer, trusting in His provision and protection. And then let’s join hands with others who are willing to help us do the best we can, trusting God to accomplish His will in His time.

Nehemiah 4:9-14 (NASB)

9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.
10 Thus in Judah it was said, “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, Yet there is much rubbish; And we ourselves are unable To rebuild the wall.”
11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them, and put a stop to the work.”
12 And it came about when the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”
13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows.
14 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “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 houses.”