Time Flies

I am by no means a builder, but I would have thought – particularly back in the days when they didn’t have bobcats and scissor-lifts –  it would have taken a lot longer to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 6:15-7:3

Reference:  v.15  So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  Is it just me or do traffic lights read our minds?  On my drive to work I need to pass through at least 30 sets of traffic lights.  On the days I am running late, every single light turns red just as I’m coming near.  I’m sure I would stop at least 40% more on the days where I have left my run late.  However, when I am trying to find a location on my map or keen to write myself a reminder in my diary, all the lights are green and I can never get a hand free!  Are traffic lights just malicious to me or does this happen to others?
It’s funny how some times a situation seems to take forever but there are occasional times when time flies by so quickly you get to a place before you even notice it.  Because I am fairly impatient I find it’s usually the former rather than the latter, but there is the rare occasion when things happen quickly.

Application:  I must say that I was surprised to hear that it only took Nehemiah, and all his workers, 52 days to complete the building of Jerusalem’s wall.  I am by no means a builder, but I would have thought – particularly back in the days when they didn’t have bobcats and scissor-lifts –  it would have taken a lot longer to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.  It goes to show that there were a decent number of helpers, the helpers worked diligently and that Nehemiah was effective in holding off any delays.  But let us not forget that this was a vision Nehemiah had from God.  Way back in chapter 2 Nehemiah wrote that rebuilding the wall was something that ‘God had put in my heart’.  When we are fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives things do happen.  Sure, there are complications and challenges but we are following the God who flung stars into place; we are following the God who divided the Red Sea; and we are following the God who sacrificed His only Son so that we may have life.  When we are following God’s heart there will be pain and anguish but there will also be purpose and fulfillment.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for taking an interest in every single life You create.  As we strive to live for You may we look through the challenges and the pain and be reminded of Your purpose for us.  Amen.

When have you felt that God has helped you accomplish something?

Nehemiah