Trusting God's Promise and Acting in Faith

"2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:2-3, NIV).

It's almost 2026. It will be a new year in a matter of a few days. This is the time when people are creating their New Year's resolutions, like "go to the gym" or "eat healthy," that they intend to start and continue in the new year. Moreover, God often gives us passions or tasks that he intends for us to follow and use to glorify him, but sometimes it's hard to figure out where to start to meet the goal in our minds. It is easy to get discouraged when given a task that seems overwhelming or to feel inadequate to meet the challenge that you are faced with. The Bible offers us direction and insight on how we can face challenges like this head-on.

Nehemiah and The Wall of Jerusalem

Nehemiah struggled with issues that many others struggle with today: motivation, fatigue, and criticism. His story offers inspiration while also being practical. Nehemiah shows us how to handle God's assignments that may seem daunting while facing opposition and apathy.

To give some historical background, the Babylonians conquered Judah in 586 B.C. Then in 539 B.C. Persia conquered Babylon. Not long after the Babylonians were conquered, the Persians allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Despite opposition, the returned exiles rebuilt the temple. By 445 B.C., the challenges of rebuilding their homeland began to weigh heavily on the Jews, and ultimately, the wall of Jerusalem remained in rubble.

This is the challenge that Nehemiah faces at the beginning of the book of Nehemiah. One of his brothers, Hanani, returned to their home in Susa from Judah and told him that the Jews in Judah were discouraged and in great trouble. From hearing this, Nehemiah sat and cried. He went to God in prayer for many days and decided to travel to Judah to rebuild the city. Nehemiah was stirred by a passion for Jerusalem that was rooted in his commitment to God.

By the end of Chapter 2, Nehemiah is in Judah and spends some time inspecting the city that he has committed to rebuilding.

"16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

17Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.'

18I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, 'Let us start rebuilding.' So they began this good work.

19But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. 'What is this you are doing?' they asked. 'Are you rebelling against the king?'

20I answered them by saying, 'The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it'" (Nehemiah 2:16-20, NIV).

Something read in these scriptures that continues to be a recurring theme in the book of Nehemiah is opposition and ridicule that the Jews recieved followed by Nehemiah's trust in God's promise. This is a beautiful juxtaposition because, despite the many insults that are thrown, Nehemiah continues to trust in God. He understands that God had a purpose for him in this season, and that was to rebuild the wall. He understood that despite the workload, how things may look, or what others had to say, ultimately, the work would be finished. This is not to say that Nehemiah was not concerned about those opposing him, but he knew God's purpose was greater. The Bible actually tells us, "[they] prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat" when they heard of opposers devising a plan to attack the city (Nehemiah 4:9, NIV). So, Nehemiah made sure to go to God in prayer and to post a guard to protect himself and the other Jews who were working. Then, after only 52 days, the wall was completed.

How Can I Act in Faith like Nehemiah?

Nehemiah was bold, eager, and driven by passion that was rooted in his love for God. Many of us also have passions that God likely put in our hearts. This could be to witness to others, start a business, or switch careers. Whatever it may be, it can be difficult to step out in faith like Nehemiah. These are a few practical steps that you can take.

1. Pray, Fast, and Ask for Direction Beforehand: "4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4, NIV). Be sure to seek God, and ask God if what you would like to move forward in is something he would like you to do.

2. Trust God Despite How Things Look: "19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. 'What is this you are doing?' they asked. 'Are you rebelling against the king?'

   20I answered them by saying, 'The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it'" (Nehemiah 2:19-20, NIV).

3. Continue to Pray Even If Things Look "Bad": "4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders" (Nehemiah 4:4-5, NIV).

4. Work Diligently: "6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart" (Nehemiah 4:6, NIV)

5. Utilize Practical Tools, But Rely on God First: "9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat" (Nehemiah 4:9, NIV).

6. Listen to God's Voice and Drown Out Other Voices: "11 But I said, 'Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!' 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me" (Nehemiah 6:11-13, NIV).

I pray you take this into the new year and that this can encourage you to move forward into the things God is calling you to do. Just like Nehemiah, we can do amazing things despite other people's ridicule if we only trust in God and be bold enough to act in faith.