Prayer For Faithful Rebuilding

 REBUILDING

Well, since October 2 is mentioned in the Bible I thought we should have a look at it today, on October 2.  In traditional versions of the Bible the date is named by the Hebrew calendar of the time as:  … the twenty-fifth of Elul.  Someone who knows how to calculate various calendars obviously sorted things out for newer translations and so it’s now listed in time frames we recognize – and in this case October 2.  So what was happening on October 2 that’s worth our attention today?

Nehemiah and the residents had been in captivity for a long time and under God’s guidance had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which had been broken down.  Nehemiah and the people had to have courage and self-control to do the work and finish the job.  They faced cynics who criticized their work and sneered at them each day saying that the wall they were building would never be strong enough and all the gaps would never be filled.  Through it all Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem persevered and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in an amazingly short period of time.

So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.  Nehemiah 6:15-16

When Nehemiah and the people honoured God and got about rebuilding, God made a way through all sorts of obstacles for them. God helped them.  The people recognized that without God’s help they never could have accomplished what they did.

Similarly, when we follow the ways of God, He will watch over and protect us as we rebuild our lives.  There will be some who think that we can never achieve stability, sobriety, self-control.  However, if we persevere and follow God’s ways, we will succeed in the face of any adversity, just as Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem did.

Even though it seems things are broken down, there’s confusion, no protection, and no peace, with God in the picture there is every reason to have confidence in whatever needs rebuilding and reorganizing.  

On this October 2 we’ll use the words of King David as we ask God for courage and self-control to get about what needs doing today.

O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.  Save me, for you do what is right.  Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly.  Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.  Psalm 31:1-2

But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.  Psalm 31:14-16