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Nehemiah 8

When the heavy lifting is over, the hard work begins.

Building walls is easy. Rebuilding the people of God? That takes time. But revival and rebuilding begins when spiritually hungry people begin to crave and receive the Word of God!

The miracle restoration was now complete. 52 days of challenging, exhausting, discouraging, fear-inducing labor was in the rear-view-mirror. The walls were complete. The hinges were nailed. The gates were hung. The city was now secure.

But this was no time to rest! Inside the city walls remained a chaotic mess. The people of God were surviving organically but were seriously challenged organizationally. They had the semblance of success and comfort, but there was something significant still lacking. So rather than a sabbatical on a beach, our man Nehemiah set about bringing structure to the community.

  • Security forces assigned to the gates
  • Choir members assembled for rehearsals…Huh?!? (Job security for Troy!)
  • Pastoral staff each with their job descriptions
  • His brother would be the “Mayor” (As my son says, “Nepotism is a good thing, IF you keep it in the family!” ☺)
  • Security Director…a man of vetted character and spiritual maturity
  • Time for a nose-by-nose census

The physical provisions for community security were complete. The political and religious organizations were established. The people were back to “normal” living. But something was still missing.

When the heavy lifting is over, the hard work begins.

“And all the people gathered as one man at the square in front of the Water Gate (no Nixon shadows present ☺) and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given Israel.” Nehemiah 8:1 The 300 year old prophetic word of Amos had become a reality. “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11

  • Security provisions? Check!
  • Accountability structures? Check!
  • Houses and homes? Check!
  • Generosity in gratitude? Check!
  • Great worship gatherings? Check!

The newly restored and blessed community of faith became increasingly aware of a gnawing emptiness of soul. They were hungry. They were desperate. They were driven. They longed to hear the refreshing and restoring living words of the Lord!

“The Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all children who could understand…and when he opened it, all the people stood up…and all the people were attentive to the book of the law!” Nehemiah 8

Building walls is easy. Rebuilding the people of God? That takes time. But revival and rebuilding begins when spiritually hungry people begin to crave and receive the Word of God!

When the heavy lifting is over, the hard work begins.

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom