Nehemiah 4-5

 Link to full passage on Bible Gateway

We All Returned to the Wall

What a tumultuous time it was for the remnant community! I can imagine the despair of the wives and mothers as they questioned the rationale for returning to Jerusalem. Not only did they fear for their husbands whose lives were at risk while rebuilding the wall, but for their sons and daughters as well, who could be enslaved as payment for debts incurred while the family was just trying to survive. The exiles were met with opposition and sabotage from people on the outside as well as heavy taxation and oppression from their own people within. Then, Nehemiah arrived at Jerusalem. What a blessing he was to the remnant community! He strengthened them against the enemy, he stopped the oppression from within and He was a wonderful example to them of fearlessness, selflessness faithfulness, generosity and hope. Our pilgrimage is not so different. As the people of God, we are called to come out of Babylon and set our sights on a new Jerusalem. While on our journeys to this glorious city, we are met with great opposition and oppression and traumas and heartache. But how blessed we are that God sent His Son to us, to strengthen us against the enemy and to carry our burdens; to heal not only our diseases, but also our broken hearts; and most importantly, to lead us to the new Jerusalem, where we will dwell with Him forever more! Dear Father, thank You for Your Son. How grateful I am for the help on my journey – from Babylon to the new Jerusalem… the holy city coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. This new Jerusalem is the dwelling place of God with man. "He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).