[devo.] It Takes Two Hands to Rebuild (Sandy Relief Project)

“And they said unto me, “The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire”  Nehemiah 1:3

This report was delivered to Nehemiah about the people of God. He was grieved by it and immediately his heart was moved. He began to cry out to God fasting and praying on their behalf asking the Lord for mercy and to show Himself faithful to a people affected by sin, destruction and captivity.

What stands out to me is what happens next. As we know, Nehemiah prayed, but it didn’t stop there. He happened to be the cup-bearer to the king. While in his presence, his prayer still lay heavy on his heart and it showed upon his face. The king noticed that something was bothering him: “Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4-5

He indeed found favor with the king and was allowed to go forward with plans to rebuild a city that had been abandoned for almost 70 years. It was time! However, he couldn’t do it alone. He called on builders, people who would provide him with the material he needed and just like that the work began. However, it wasn’t always easy. The enemy was near with plans to stop the work like the bully that he is. But, he wasn’t successful because the people prepared themselves. Look at this::

 “So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.” Nehemiah 4:16-17

With a weapon in one hand and a tool in the other, they continued to build. Nehemiah also reminded them that God was for them and therefore no enemy would be able to prosper. As it turns out, his faith and belief were met with reality! The people of God were successful in rebuilding! They came together as one body and accomplished this task set before them.

Do you see how powerful prayer was? That’s how the rebuilding even started! With a man who was moved to lift up a people who were hurting and devastated. He desired be apart of the solution! He saw that it was time to rebuild after chaos had seemed to rule for so many years. This has actually happened throughout the history of the people of God! He moves on the hearts of men and women to simply pray and stand in the gap! Take a quick look at Esther, chosen by God to also go before a king on behalf of the lives of her people, “…for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 Before she did this she prayed and fasted as well!

As I look at our generation I can’t help but notice there are ruins all around us as well – physically and spiritually. My question is, Are we willing to pray and be used by God in the process of rebuilding? Even if no one is with us, are we willing to have God move and have a testimony in our generation through us as individuals and as a body? If so, let us begin to pray!

It may seem impossible to build with a hammer in one hand and fight with a weapon in the other. However, when those two hands are clasped together in prayer unto a God who is able to do ALL things it is possible! Through prayer, you can build and fight at the same time. Therefore, it takes two hands to rebuild!

May Philippians 4:6-7 beat in your heart, and may it swell with thanksgiving unto a God who is able to give His people strength and endurance to build and most of all VICTORY over any enemy that may try and stop it!

God Bless You!

-Kei-Landa “Kei-Kei” Rembert