“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4).
Molded into the cement on an outside wall of WestHigh School(where Irving School now sits), were these words: ‘For the people had a mind to work.’
Almost without exception all men are endowed by their creator with the right to pursue happiness; and ‘inalienable rights’ according to the American Declaration of independence.
Nehemiah wrote of the success amidst opposition. That success, in the same mood as was the founding ofAmerica, came about because men not only were endowed with wonderful minds; they used their minds believing that with God they could overcome obstacles that are quite normal to us all.
Throughout scripture the theme is the same. Jesus taught that “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33)
The men who rebuilt Jerusalem during the Ezra revival were people like you and I – everyman – but they made a difference that had lasting effects in the world. Israel is known today in part because these men took it upon themselves – “had a mind” to work.
The times were not easy. Jerusalem had been scorched. The opposition then is common to all times. Discouragement abounded. Tobiah, the Ammonite, scoffed their efforts saying, “If a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.”
Have you tried and felt such discouragement?
Few are the personal success stories of lottery winners, of the persons born with a ‘silver spoon in their mouth’. Success stories abound in the Bible along with stories of failure. We may choose to succeed and, if we will follow God’s wise direction, we cannot fail.
On the same walls of West High School were the words: ‘An equal chance for all, and success to him who strives.’ The fact that multitudes of single moms are teachers, nurses, and gainfully employed is testimony to the fact, we must strive to succeed. It is a great deception to think otherwise.
No matter the times – with Nehemiah his nation had been destroyed and its inhabitants taken captive – the Savior is mighty to save. God’s will is that “He will save our lives from destruction and crown our lives with loving-kindness. (Psalm 103)
Jesus said, “The thief has come only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
The Bible reads, “The fool says in his heart there is no God” (Psalm 114: 1-3).
That same word says that God sent His Son – why? “To seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
“Through God, we shall do valiantly” (Psalm 60:12).
“We are more than conquerors through him” (Romans 8:37).
Because He strengthens me, “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13).
Friend, if you will accept from Him the encouragement to “have a mind to work” because you have God on your side – crowning you with loving-kindness – you can be what you want deep inside to be. God will bless you – that is what He does if we open up to Him.
Oh, yes, Hell is against you, but “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
In the real world each must travel, girded by prayer, living by faith, taught through the word. “We built the wall.” That will be your legacy.
Buddy