The all-powerfulness of God is beyond the boundaries of man’s extreme imaginations. His strength and wisdom are incomparable and immeasurable. He made the heavens and the earth and all the things therein. In Psalm 86:8-10, it is written, Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. (KJV) How great our God is! Those who put their trust in Him are truly blessed.
The works of God are awe-inspiring. Though He is not visible to the eyes of men, His Word and works are undeniable proofs of His eternal power and existence.
Considering all the wonderful creations of the Almighty God, many people still don’t believe His existence and the impressive works of His hands because they themselves are victims of their own deceitful beliefs and reasoning. Through their viewpoint in life, they reveal before the Living God who they really are.
It is written in Psalm 14:1-5, The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. (KJV) Through these verses, we could see two kinds of people: first, the unbelieving who say there is no God and are said to be foolish, corrupt and lovers of abominable works; and secondly, the godly people who are well-favored by the Lord.
God’s power and working are being enjoyed by those who truly trust His Word. As we ponder in our hearts how powerful our God is, we must also keep in mind that God wants to use His people in a considerable way so unbelievers may realize that God does not only make miracles, but He also displays His miraculous working through His people.
The repairing of the wall of Jerusalem during the days of Nehemiah was an undeniable working of God through His people. In Nehemiah 6:15-16, it is written, So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. (KJV) These passages from the Bible show us that without God no great things could be accomplished by anyone; but through His mighty working in His people and through His people, even those who belittle them will surely perceive the wonderful works of God. That is exactly what happened during the repairing of the wall of Jerusalem.
As we study how God displayed His power through His people, may we also take a careful note of the “success-producing attitude” of the believers during Nehemiah’s administration.
(I) Through United Believers
Nehemiah 3:1-32 4:6
-Committed believers
Someone has said, “I was convicted, converted and now committed unto the Lord.” What a beautiful expression of one’s spiritual awareness. May we realize the value of commitment in times of need. In Nehemiah 4:6, it is written, So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. (KJV) Certainly, committed believers have a mind to work.
Nehemiah Chapter 3 is a vivid illustration of believers’ deep involvement in the work of God. The power and beauty of involvement coupled with commitment are undeniable. Teamwork is unquestionably rewarding, more so if God is with us. God’s team is surely the winning team.
(II) Through Prayerful Believers
Nehemiah 4:7-23
Prayer of faith produces:
-Watchfulness vs9-12
-Courage vs13-19
-Reliance to God v20
-Earnestness vs21-23
The presence of visible hindrances is common every time we set ourselves to work for the glory of God. The builders of the wall of Jerusalem were not exempted from hindrances. In fact, their enemies intensified their threatening when they heard that the wall was being built. They were opposed and ridiculed, so they prayed to God and He gave them the needed grace to work so that the power of God could be displayed through their lives. A prayerful believer is a powerful bearer of the banner of truth. Believer’s progressive success could only be hindered the moment he stops praying to God. Keep on praying and enjoy victorious life in Christ.
(III) Through Considerate Believers
Nehemiah 5:1-19
-Sensitive believers
Sensitivity to the Word of God produces sensitivity to the needs of others. Nehemiah’s emotional and spiritual intelligence played a great role in solving life-squeezing problems of the Jews. The cry of those who were in debt, pressured by interest and those who lived in slavery moved Nehemiah to do something against the self-centered people, and God gave him the wisdom to turn men’s selfishness into selflessness. He also led the insensitive people in the path of spiritual sensitivity, and as an amazing result, they praised the LORD for it.
Sensitivity is a great vehicle to spiritual maturity. It is written in Nehemiah 5:13, Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. (KJV) What an undeniable working of God in the hearts of His people. Be sensitive to the Word of God and the Lord will bless your life and you’ll become a channel of blessings to others.
-Unselfish leaders
Nehemiah 5:14-19 describe Nehemiah’s unquestionable selflessness. Nehemiah-like leaders are to be prayed for. We are in great need of selfless leaders in today’s world and selfless servants of God in our Local Churches nowadays. Selflessness is an excellent step to Christ-likeness. In Nehemiah 5:15, it is written, But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. (KJV) Fear of God brings forth wisdom and selflessness and leaders who posses these are sure blessing to others. Undoubtedly, Nehemiah was not only a great wall builder but also builder of God-fearing people.
(IV) Through Men Of Spiritual Perception
Nehemiah 6:1-16
-Spiritual perception comes from God
Spiritual perception is a must-have of every believer especially spiritual leaders. In Nehemiah 6:12, it is written, And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. (KJV) This verse tells us of the advantage of having spiritual perception during critical times. Nehemiah was not only aware of the importance of spiritual perception, but also conscious of the consequences of not having it.
The absence of God-given perception in a believer’s life during crucial times puts him in fear, in sin and failure. Consequently, he will become an easy target of unfair criticism. In verse 13-14, Nehemiah said, “Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.” (KJV) We really need to pray to the Lord for spiritual perception so we may avoid spiritual blunders. Keep in mind that God gives wisdom to them that ask Him with reverence.
As we pursue our God-impressed goals, may we perceive the working of God so we may not forget to give the due honor and praises unto God. In Nehemiah 6:15-16, it is written, So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. (KJV) These encouraging passages clearly show that even unbelievers could not deny the power of God through His people if believers put their trust in the Living God.
Be supportive to our God-given ministry. Get involved in this rewarding task. Keep on serving the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy God’s miraculous working. Surely, it will keep us singing “To God be the glory great things He has done!”
