“And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.” (Nehemiah 2:12, KJV)
Under the quiet cover of darkness, while the rest of the city slept, Nehemiah slipped out through the Valley Gate. He didn’t make a grand public announcement or parade his plans in front of the crowds. Instead, accompanied by only a few trusted companions, he rode out under the moonlight to conduct a quiet, secret inspection.
As he surveyed the broken walls alone in the stillness of night, God walked beside him, granting him the sharp discernment needed to accurately evaluate the destruction. Nehemiah needed a clear, unfiltered understanding of the exact conditions of the ruined walls he was called to rebuild. Before we attempt to repair any brokenness, whether in our own hearts, our relationships, or circumstances around us; we must follow Nehemiah’s lead and survey the rubble with open eyes and discerning hearts.
Taking an Honest Inventory
To rebuild effectively, we have to take a careful inventory and check the integrity of the original foundation. With God’s help, we need spiritual clarity to see if there is any lasting value left in the rubble or if there are repairable cracks in the structure. In some cases, we might discover that a minor patch-up job simply won’t cut it; we need God’s spiritual bulldozer to sweep away the debris entirely so we can start fresh on the sure, unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ.
Counting the Cost and Studying the Blueprint
Riding among the ruins also gave Nehemiah the chance to start tallying up the exact materials required to rebuild the city walls. Jesus echoed this principle in Luke 14:28 when He asked, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
The exact same precept applies to anyone desiring to build a life of godly integrity and Christian character. If we want to grow more like Christ, the very first step is ensuring that Jesus’ precious blood has been applied to our sinful souls. Beyond that initial step of salvation, we must dedicate daily effort to understanding God’s plan for our lives.
Worn Plans and Heavenly Provisions
Much like a modern architect drafting detailed blueprints, Nehemiah likely sketched out drawings of the construction work that needed to be carried out. Construction workers must constantly refer back to the master drawings throughout the building process to ensure everything aligns with the architect’s design. By the time the building is finished, those paper plans are usually marked up, smudged, and well-worn from daily use.
In the same way, as we navigate our daily walk with God, our Bibles ought to be well-worn from constant reading, and our knees calloused by earnest prayer. That is how we ensure we are building according to God’s blueprint, laying up eternal treasures for when we reach heaven’s gate.
Just as king Artaxerxes provided the physical materials Nehemiah needed to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, our King Jesus provides every spiritual resource we need to construct a vibrant Christian life. In return, He asks for our full surrender; that we take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Seed for Thought: Is there an area in your life where you have been trying to build on a cracked foundation or guessing at the blueprint? Take time today to get alone with God in prayer, open His Word, and ask Him to reveal what needs to be cleared away so you can build on Christ alone.
Reflect and Respond
- Surveying Your Foundation: Have you taken time recently to quietly survey the state of your own heart or relationships, or are you ignoring the cracks in your spiritual foundation? Ask God to give you open eyes and discerning judgment as you evaluate your spiritual health.
- Consulting the Blueprint: Is your Bible well-worn from daily consultation, or has it sat gathering dust on a shelf? Consider how constantly referencing God’s Word keeps your life aligned with His master plan.
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Surrendering to the King: King Jesus has provided everything you need to build a life of godly character, but He asks for total surrender in return. What cross or burden are you being called to pick up today as you follow Him?
