Elpis and Shalom

There’s a certain beauty in the process of working on a project or chore, yet it’s often in those moments of rest that we genuinely appreciate the fruits of our labor. For instance, after a day of mowing the lawn and tending to the yard, I find joy in sitting back and admiring the transformation. A profound sense of accomplishment arises from engaging in manual labor and witnessing the tangible results of my efforts. However, while my neighbors may not marvel at the mowed lawn, they undoubtedly appreciate the improved appearance and the effort I put into maintaining it. Similarly, when I finally put away my laundry, my wife may not express overt amazement, but she is undoubtedly pleased that I took care of a task that had been bothering her. The risk lies in relying solely on the fact that the work was done, assuming it will remain in order without continuous maintenance. Just as the grass and weeds will eventually overtake my yard if left unattended, and the laundry will once again pile up, so too did Nehemiah recognize that the great work of repairing the wall required ongoing reliance on God’s help to maintain its defenses. While the nature of maintenance work may differ, the truth remains that the work is never truly finished.

¹⁵ So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Nehemiah 6:15-16.

Despite facing numerous challenges and opposition, the remarkable completion of the Jerusalem wall in just 52 days showcases the transformative power of focused effort and unwavering perseverance. It exemplifies how determination and unwavering commitment to God’s calling can lead to extraordinary success. A similar principle applies in our own lives. When we put forth genuine effort into transforming our surroundings, such as mowing the lawn, edging the grass, removing dead plants, and replacing them with vibrant trees and bushes, we witness a beautiful transformation of our yard. God calls us to apply this same dedication and effort to carrying out the mission of transforming our communities for His glory. By investing our efforts in our community, with God’s guidance and support, we can overcome challenges and achieve lasting success, despite the setbacks we may encounter.

The wall’s completion was seen as a sign of God’s favor and protection. The Israelites recognized they could not have accomplished such a feat without divine assistance. This highlights the importance of relying on God’s strength and guidance in overcoming obstacles. Even with a great effort, my skills and abilities to fully transform the yard may be beyond my capabilities. I had a couple dead rose bushes and a tree that I needed to remove, and despite my best efforts I was unable to carry out the task, but I sought out help from someone that had the right tools and experience to help with that task. Among us we might not think we are capable of accomplishing a task; however, God asks that we call on the Almighty, and through God’s help we are more powerful and capable than we were on our own.

Due to the swift construction of the wall fear arose within Israel’s adversaries, demonstrating the Israelites’ unwavering faith and the power of God. It exemplifies how living in accordance with one’s beliefs can have a significant impact on others, inspiring awe and reverence. Likewise, in the context of maintaining a yard, one can neglect it, allowing weeds to grow and the yard to deteriorate, or they can tend to it with care as a sign of respect to those who helped improve it. Continuing to work and honoring the labor invested is the best course of action. Our way of life can either inspire and guide people toward God’s provision or create an environment of mockery and negativity in the community. God encourages us to live in a manner that leads others toward faith and love, acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon us and our communities. This necessitates ongoing efforts to bring peace and hope to those around us.

God’s work in our lives is never fully complete. The community of God requires our constant practice of reverence and awe towards the ongoing work that God is performing among us. While it may be tempting to admire the work from a distance, we must recognize that God is present and guiding us throughout the entire process. The concept of a never-ending cycle of work may seem overwhelming, but it’s crucial to remember that God’s presence is with us every step of the way, enabling us to accomplish more than we could ever imagine through our own strength and abilities. During moments of exhaustion, God invites us to find rest in Him. Our mission is right at our doorstep, within our own community. God calls us to share grace, mercy, and love while working on our own hearts to increase our capacity for love. This work is never-ending, and we must never stop sharing it with the world.

One of my guilty pleasures is watching home improvement shows on cable channels. The shows that have the catchier titles are always the most appealing to me. Titles like “Fixer Upper” or “Good Bones” always caught my eye. The only problem with most shows is that they focus on what the house looks like at the end. Still, every homeowner knows that the “bones” often are more significant than the polish when decorating the home. If the bones are bad, then the home is bad. Therefore, any restoration project should fix the home’s “bones” first and foremost. Since the greatest restoration project God wants to undertake is found within the hearts of the people, we must work to stop and correct sin in our lives; only then will we be able to help correct the sin that leads to people taking advantage of one another.  With our hearts renewed, our eyes can open to the exploitation happening all around us, which needs eradication. 

In the story of Nehemiah, the complete restoration of the walls held little significance if the people’s hearts remained distant from God. Without spiritual transformation, the physical rebuilding efforts would be rendered meaningless. The heart of the people is the core of the rebuilding effort and must be fixed for the rebuilding of the city to be successful. In Nehemiah’s narrative, the thorough restoration of the walls held minimal importance if the citizens’ hearts remained disconnected from God. If spiritual transformation were absent, the physical reconstruction endeavors would be futile. The crux of the rebuilding project lies in the people’s hearts, and their reformation is essential for the city’s successful reconstruction.

“So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The first step in our restoration project to bring God’s glory to our community is to stop the sin of exploitation for personal gain. But it’s not enough to just refrain from exploitation; we must actively work to end it. As Nehemiah prepared to entertain the idea of rebuilding, a reckoning had to be made within his heart to determine what he needed to repent from. The process of repentance allowed Nehemiah to become more aware of the things in the people’s hearts that would prevent the complete restoration of Jerusalem. Through listening to the people, he was made aware of the exploitative interest the wealthy were charging those in need. At this moment, he could call out the leaders and ask them to repent for their acts that took advantage of the people. To lead fulfilling lives, we must deeply reflect to identify and eliminate actions that may harm others. This process of repentance requires humility, acknowledging our shortcomings, and prioritizing the well-being of others over our pride. Additionally, we need to learn to listen to others’ needs, strive to understand the blind spots in how our actions harm others and work to stop the exploitation of others.

People who have been affected by unscrupulous people need more than just someone to stop the exploitation; they need a form of restoration to make them whole again.Nehemiah called the people to stop taking advantage of people, but didn’t just leave it there; but also called them to make the people whole again. They had to repair the damage done to the community through their sinful practices. For example, it is not enough to repair a leak in a home. Depending on how long the leak existed, some damage had probably been done to the home. Therefore, it is not enough to repair the leak; you must also repair the damage done by the leak. Recognizing that sin has inflicted damage on our community, we must acknowledge the extent of harm. The church is responsible for actively restoring this community, envisioning a place where sin’s detrimental effects are no longer prevalent. Our collective efforts should be directed at repairing the damage and bringing about a community that thrives in healing and wholeness.

In the final phase of the restoration project, a community covenant needs to be established and upheld to prevent further exploitation and work towards the redemption and restoration of all its members. Recognizing the need for ongoing care and commitment within the community, Nehemiah reminded the people of their covenantal relationship with one another and with God. In contrast, home improvement shows often end with the beautification of a house and the departure of the hosts, leaving the homeowner to manage any future issues alone. However, God calls us to be present not only during the repair and restoration but also afterward, living life together as a community. The covenant agreement ensures the longevity of community building, preventing it from disintegrating as time passes and shared experiences become memories.

In Jerusalem, Nehemiah recognized that restoring the community’s relationship with God was paramount. This process entailed repenting for exploiting neighbors, compensating those who had been exploited, and establishing a covenant to prevent future exploitation. Prioritizing people over structures, the church should be a place where God’s desire for wholeness and shalom in every heart is realized, allowing people to reconnect with God and removing obstacles in our communities that hinder individuals from receiving the blessings of God’s Kingdom. While your restoration journey with God may not involve dramatic transformations like on home improvement shows, it is filled with love. No task is too daunting or insignificant for God, and there is no need for preparation before submitting ourselves to God’s restorative hands.

Life will inevitably present challenges and doubts that may tempt us to believe we are incapable. These feelings can arise from internal struggles, external voices, or physical limitations that hinder our ability to embrace God’s plan fully. Whether these obstacles are self-imposed or caused by others, God calls on us to trust Him. When we surrender our burdens to Him, we can overcome any obstacle, for no human ill-will can derail the divine plans God has for us just as Jesus reminded the disciples, even the stones will cry out if we fail to proclaim God’s message.

Nehemiah undoubtedly needed unwavering faith, as the jeering and opposition persisted even with the king’s mandate. Surrounding people continued to plot against the rebuilding project, their cries growing louder as they attempted to halt the work. They claimed the task was insurmountable for so few people and even threatened violence to stop them. However, the people remained steadfast with God’s guidance, relying on divine strength to rebuild the walls despite the opposition.

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ne 4:15–20.

One key to overcoming opposition is to prepare yourself for potential challenges continuously. The people did not let their guard down when Nehemiah’s enemies’ plot was discovered and thwarted. They continued to work on the wall, armed and ready for potential attacks. This demonstrates the importance of being prepared and vigilant, even when things are going well. We cannot stop working; instead, we must keep praying and preparing for God’s work, which will align us to overcome the next obstacle. No path is perfectly smooth, and just because we have experienced God’s intervention, it doesn’t alleviate the necessity of following God’s guidance. This means preparing our bodies, minds, and souls to overcome anything that might arise in our path.

God calls us to lean on each other to fulfill our shared service mission. None of us are called to carry out God’s work alone. In the Jerusalem community, we see a coordinated effort of builders, with half working on construction and half standing guard. The leaders played a crucial role in supporting and organizing the workers, demonstrating that order and unity are essential tools for effective service and overcoming all obstacles in our path and the paths of each other. God is calling you to lighten the burden of your fellow followers. Ask yourself, “Where can I stand in the gap for my fellow worker?” Each of us has a unique role to play, and by working together with unity and organization, we can become a thriving community of faith that embodies care and support for one another.

The most important tool in our attempt to carry out God’s mission and overcome obstacles is remembering that our faith in God will carry us through our difficulties. Despite the ongoing threat of attack, the people of Jerusalem remained confident in God’s ability to protect them. Through faith, they proclaimed, “Our God will fight for us.” We need to strengthen our faith, which will lead us to a place where we lean more upon God and will not be deterred by obstacles or swayed by people trying to lead us astray. Through a deeper understanding of God’s Word, a robust prayer life, and regular fellowship with God’s people, we find the framework for growth in our faith.

Nehemiah’s story demonstrates that, through the power of God, no obstacle is insurmountable. However, we are not passive observers in this process. God invites us to actively participate and grow through overcoming challenges. This participation requires preparation for the unknown and a commitment to growth. Remember, working for God is a collaborative effort, and supporting one another is essential. Ultimately, these experiences should deepen our faith, driving us to cultivate habits that strengthen our relationship with God and empower us to fulfill His mission.

Often, when I walk around my neighborhood on trash day, especially after they have picked up trash, there will be scraps on the street that fell out of the can as it was picked up by the truck. Most of the time, I look at that trash and shake my head, thinking about how it isn’t hard to pick up the scraps that fall out, but they don’t. Simultaneously, I just walk or run by leaving the mess. Complaining is easy, but making a change requires vision and a desire to contribute to solving the problems in our world rather than just becoming a spectator. If we see something wrong, it is not enough to simply point out the problem; we all must work together to fix it. Similarly, strength doesn’t happen by thinking about getting stronger because no person has gotten in shape by only resolving to go to the gym more. We must resolve to get stronger and utilize the resources around us to implement a plan. While the clarity of our vision guides us and keeps us focused on our path, we have to recognize the resources around us and utilize them in our actions. Similarly, Nehemiah saw the state of Jerusalem. Relying on the call God had given him to rebuild the city, he looked around and worked with the people around him, rallying them to join the cause of rebuilding.

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Nehemiah 2:17-20.

God’s purpose for us is to participate in missions together, not billions of solitary movements going in billions of different directions. Nehemiah recognized that the work of building up Jerusalem again was not his solitary responsibility but required the work of the people in the area to put their hands to the task. He enjoined them in God’s vision for repairing the walls because they shared the vision of the current state of disrepair. Therefore, before we consider sharing God’s mission with others, we must first recognize the great provision God has given us in the people around us. Because even in our most lonely times, God has people beside us that we must lean upon to carry some of that burden because God’s vision is for the community, not just us. After God places us in a community, we must share the marvelous work God has already done. Our words are meant to encourage the people around us, as they show what God has done and will share a vision for what God is doing for our world.

Once the vision is shared, we must get ourselves in a position to do the work. Just as the people’s echoes rose after hearing about the vision, Nehemiah was empowered to begin rebuilding with the strength of many hands. God’s vision rang true in their hearts, and Nehemiah was encouraged to implement the plan. Even though our vision might be clear when we look at any task at hand, we might find ourselves in a place where it feels far too daunting to take on God’s mission. Just as every time I look at my garage, I want to run because organizing it feels as if it might be impossible. However, I know that with the help of the people beside me, it can be accomplished, and if those voices say let’s do it together, it can get done. Just as Nehemiah shared the vision, and the hands of the people were readied to work, we must place ourselves in a position where when we hear the voice of God speak through the echoes of the people, we must be ready to go to work.

Being ready to work is not enough, though; hope is necessary to keep us focused on God’s purpose for the mission in our lives. Nehemiah immediately faced resistance from those challenged by God’s new vision to rejuvenate Jerusalem. However, because God’s hope was foundational to Nehemiah’s vision for Jerusalem, the jeering and clamoring for the work of rebuilding to stop before it had even begun did not discourage the workers; instead, they leaned upon that hope and were able to speak God’s truth to the opposition. Undoubtedly, we will also encounter roadblocks to the success of God’s mission. Sometimes, those roadblocks come from outside the community, with people bringing discouraging words or, worse, actively working to hamper our abilities to carry out the work through legal threats or violence. However, most of the time, just as in Nehemiah’s situation, the roadblocks come from within the community, where the bickering and words attempting to pull people away from God’s mission threaten to halt the work of the community. Our response to any roadblock would be to rely on hope given to us by God. Reliance on our strength or the strength of others will ultimately fail, just as when we place our trust in man-made things, they will ultimately let us down. Nehemiah provides us with an example of not leaning on the king’s words but on hope embedded in the vision of a rejuvenated Jerusalem.

The vision God granted us is like the vision Nehemiah received of a rejuvenated Jerusalem. The clear direction we are called to follow leads to a community that is blessed and full of revival, where people turn from sin into the blessed arms of God. We aren’t simply passive recipients of God’s action in our community; we have been called to share God’s vision with our community, not merely as information but as invitational, so that God’s calling and vision involve their action and empowerment. God’s work is not done to a community but through a community, which Nehemiah was well aware of. He sought the participation of the people in Jerusalem in repairing the walls and restoring the city. Hope can overcome all the roadblocks we face, not because we are particularly skilled, but because we serve a wonderful God.

In a world often inundated with unsettling news, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when those events strike close to home. We have an emotional and physical response when the news hits close to home. Our bodies and minds react, but before the waves of despair take hold, we have a powerful tool: prayer. Through this sacred act, we find solace, direction, and a source of strength. Upon hearing of the ruin of Jerusalem, his beloved city, Nehemiah turned to prayer in his grief. His example reminds us that prayer offers a path toward healing and hope, even in the face of devastating news.

4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ne 1:4–11.

Prayer is a sacred encounter, one that demands honesty and vulnerability. Before we utter a word, we must strip away any pretense or hidden agendas. Any facade we place between ourselves and God prevents us from connecting to God’s ultimate mercy and hope. We approach Him not as actors on a stage but as souls seeking solace and salvation. Our hearts and minds must be bare, exposing our joys, sorrows, and deepest fears. God meets us in our authenticity, inviting us to embrace our true selves, even amidst life’s struggles. In this raw, honest space, our prayers become offerings of our very essence, transcending the ordinary and connecting us to the divine.

Approaching God, we must first recognize our unworthiness to be able to come before the Almighty Creator of the universe. Yet, through His grace, we are invited to draw near. Thus, confession is at the heart of our prayer – recognizing sin’s impact on the world and our part. We approach His throne humbly, not blaming ourselves for humanity’s brokenness but owning our transgressions. Since we have sinned, we recognize that we are inherently part of the cause of the wretched curse sin has wrought on us, but through humility, we bring our confession to the Almighty, who has saved us. Through this, we find the source of our salvation and plead with God for guidance.

Within the Scriptures, we find a timeless conversation between God and humanity, addressing our modern struggles through generations of wisdom. We often find that the Lord answers us through the scriptures when we are seemingly unheard. Just as Nehemiah brought his heartfelt plea to the Lord with humility and the scriptures on his mind. Nehemiah admits his fault through the scripture-filled prayer and understands God’s promise and hope for the future. We must understand that just as imperative as prayer is, we must also immerse ourselves in the scriptures so that the Word of God might come to our minds. While the answer was not a step-by-step plan for solving all the problems of the Jerusalem situation, the answer from Scripture provided comfort and the assurance that he wasn’t alone. His experience reminds us that the Scriptures offer more than solutions; they offer companionship and divine connection.

Like a swift current, life carries us along, sometimes tossing us into unexpected turmoil. Nehemiah’s story illustrates this: faced with the news of Jerusalem’s ruin, he felt the urgency to act yet understood the primacy of prayer. Our lives, too, are marked by imperfections and sorrow, prompting us to seek solace and strength in prayer. Turning to God humbles us, reminding us that we are not masters of our fate but recipients of divine grace. Prayer is not isolation but a conversation nurtured by spiritual practices and a deep connection to scripture. Nehemiah’s humble prayer sparked the restoration of Jerusalem, demonstrating that God’s hope is often ignited not by worldly power but by the heartfelt cries of His people.