Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Nehemiah: Motivator and Mobilizer

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Nehemiah met opposition head-on, giving it no chance to get a foot-hold nor give it any room to grow. His response was swift and direct. He was able to do so because: 

Nehemiah defined his mission. Nehemiah came to repair a wall. “Let us rise up and build” (2:18). When the opposition came casting doubt asking, “what is this thing that you are doing?” (2:19), he was able to answer them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build.” (2:20b)

Nehemiah narrowed his focus. His critics have no heritage, right or memorial in the city (2:20c) but with a defined mission in mind, Nehemiah focused on his target and let nothing distract him from hitting it (3:1-32). Nehemiah’s focus was so narrow that he was able to name those who were rightfully there to support the mission. 

Nehemiah set a guard. Nehemiah protected his workers and their work. (Neh. 4:9-23) Any difficult endeavor tends to weaken just after the half-way mark. Strength was failing and their adversaries were noticing. Nehemiah weaponizes the people according to their families and encourages their renewed vigor, “do not be afraid of them . . . remember the Lord . . . fight . . . the work is great . . . wherever you hear the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” (4:14, 19-20)

Nehemiah disarmed his enemies. (Neh. 5-6). In the sight of growing extortion (4:1-8) Nehemiah simplifies the battlefield by disarming his enemies through swift answers to every distraction with a mission-based response (6:3, 8, 11). He had no time for opposition.

Nehemiah did what others would not. (Neh. 5:8-19) Nehemiah works alongside the people, even giving sacrificially of his own stores and personal wealth to redeems (5:8), provides (5:10), relieves (5:14-15), works alongside (5:16) and shares (5:17-18), all motivated by his love for God (5:15)


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