Are there times when you don’t look or feel radiant? I hope so. Really? Yes. Even though my blog is all about figuring out how to be radiant (to reflect God’s glory) in our everyday lives, we cannot and should not expect to be glowing every waking moment. We don’t want to put on a face and pretend everything is okay when it’s not.
I found an example of this in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah (one of my favorite books of the Bible). It starts off by explaining that a Jewish remnant has survived the exile but that they are in great trouble and danger. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and it’s gates burned.
What is Nehemiah’s reaction to this news? He weeps, mourns, fasts and prays for days. Then, in Nehemiah 1:5-11, we become privy to one of those prayers. What strikes me about it is that he not only confesses his own sin and the sins of his family, he makes a corporate confession for the Israelites as well.
In just this short introduction, we already have a sense that Nehemiah is a God-fearing man who deeply cares for his people. We also quickly discover at the end of the first chapter that he is the cupbearer to the King, a position which will help him bring to fruition what God has laid on his heart to do.
Chapter 2 begins, “…I had not been sad in his presence so the King asked me, ‘why does your face look sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” (Neh. 2:1-2).
Due to the nature of Nehemiah’s job, it’s likely he saw the King quite frequently. The fact that the King had never seen Nehemiah looking sad before tells me that perhaps he usually looked joyful, or dare I say, even radiant? Considering his close relationship with God, that would make sense, right?
But today was different. Nehemiah’s face reflected the weight he felt for the danger his people were in. He couldn’t, no he wouldn’t, stand by and do nothing. He had the ear of the King and asked for permission to leave and go rebuild. What a powerful connection to have at a time like this. “And because the gracious hand of God was upon me, the King granted my requests.” (Neh. 2:8)
Though Nehemiah’s connection with the King was a powerful one, his connection with God was even more so and that’s who gets the credit here.
Nehemiah is about to embark on a monumental task and is wise enough to know he is going to need quite a crew of people to help him. And what a crew he gets! He finds everyone from the high priest and his fellow priests, to a perfume-maker, to women! The whole community comes together. As they begin the process of rebuilding, they are immediately ridiculed, but that doesn’t stop them.
They worked and worked and rebuilt the wall to half its height, “for the people worked with all their heart.” (Neh. 4:6.) I love this verse. Seeing this hurting community come together and give it their all, despite ridicule and opposition is so incredibly inspiring.
Those who were in opposition to the rebuilding of the wall were “very angry” when they heard that the gaps in the wall were being closed. Why did that anger them so much? The fewer the gaps, the fewer the weaknesses. I can’t help but liken that to my own life. Where are the gaps in my life? Who do I need around me (perfume-makers perhaps? ;)) to help fill those gaps? I don’t want to have areas of weakness where the enemy could easily make his way in.
The enemies were plotting against the people of Judah and threatening them. “…’The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.'” (Neh. 4:10). If ever there was a time to quit, now would have been the time.
Have you ever been in the process of rebuilding something and just wanted to quit? Maybe it was something tangible like a piece of furniture or maybe it was something more figurative like trust in a friendship. The rebuilding process, regardless of what you’re rebuilding, can take a lot out of you. And when you’re surrounded by the “rubble,” it makes it even harder to move forward.
How does Nehemiah encourage the people? He says, “…Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Neh. 4:14). Don’t be afraid of those who oppose you. Don’t focus on them, focus on the Lord. Remember how great and awesome He is. When you’ve done that, it’s time to fight because your family and your home is worth it. Do you feel strengthened by that? I do!
In light of impending threats and danger, Nehemiah strategizes the best way to keep working. His solution? (This is my favorite part of the story!) “…The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked…” (Neh. 4:16-18)
Isn’t this such a perfect picture of how we should be living our lives today? Shouldn’t we all be doing the work God has called us to do with one hand and in the other be prepared to defend ourselves against the enemy? Shouldn’t we have our sword (Bible) at our side as we work? I know that we likely don’t encounter the same kind of opposition they did, but the enemy is real and if we’re doing what God wants us to be doing, he might very well try to intervene.
Nehemiah goes on, “Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!'” (Neh. 4:19-20).
As believers, we are all working together to help bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus. However, our work is spread out across the world, isn’t it? It’s such a good reminder that just as Nehemiah told the people of Judah that their God would fight for them, He will fight for us too! If you’ve been serving God and facing severe opposition, remember Who will fight for you!
The rebuilders of the wall completed their task in just 52 days and there wasn’t a single gap left in it. Can you imagine? It only took 52 days! My husband I were talking about that and he said wistfully, “I wish I could build a house in 52 days.” I replied, “You could…if you had the right people around you — like a high priest and a perfume-maker…”
I love that there wasn’t a single gap left in the wall. The builders were thorough. They made sure their newly rebuilt wall was strong, solid and impenetrable.
I also love how the enemies responded. “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” (Neh. 6:16). Even they acknowledged and recognized the hand of God in the rebuilding of the wall
Just like those faithful builders, all the work we do for God, is with God. Though they had their moments when they weren’t looking or feeling radiant, they continued to do what God called them to do. So as we continue on in that labor as well, may we find our strength in Him and may our faces reflect His glory.
Go Be Radiant 