DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
REBUILT FOR A REASON | Day 23 of 40 (LENT)

Have we ever completed a work, rebuilt a proverbial ‘wall’, and then wondered, “Why did I do this?” Probably not!

Why? Because we establish the purpose for our work before we start the work. Our purpose drives us to completion. Such is the case with Nehemiah and the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem.

Before we move to the next chapter, though, let’s briefly check in. How was your weekend? How are the reflections, fasting and prayer? I’m hungry physically, but I’m full spiritually, if that makes any sense.

How are you? Are you surviving the tests? Are the devotions helping you? Are you drawing close to God? Only 17 days to go! Time is flying. These last 2 weeks will accelerate. Watch!

This survey of the book of Nehemiah has been refreshing, right?!
Today, we pick up in Nehemiah 7.

Day 23:
Click here and read NEHEMIAH 7:1-6

Jerusalem’s walls haven’t been rebuilt just to look pretty. Nehemiah and God’s people haven’t endured threats and danger for 52 days just to congratulate and pat each other on the back.

The walls have a purpose. They have been rebuilt for a reason.

Nehemiah appoints priests, musicians, gatekeepers, and government officials with integrity and the fear of God. He then assembles the nobles, officials and common folk, (basically everybody), and registers them by genealogical record.

Why? Because NOW it’s time for the people to rebuild their homes and move back into their city. The wall is only Phase I. And the purpose of rebuilding the wall is to start the process of rebuilding an entire nation that has returned from exile and destruction.

As we work, we must keep the real reason for our work in the forefront of our minds. When we build, we must know why we are rebuilding. What is the point?!

If we go back and look at Nehemiah’s fast and prayer in Nehemiah 1, from the beginning, the purpose has been to help God’s people who survived the exile rebuild their lives.

What are we working on today?
And why are we doing the work?
Do we know the real reason we are rebuilding?

Nehemiah rebuilt for the reason of restoring a people.
Why are we rebuilding?

If we can answer that question, and know WHY we are working and WHO we are helping, it will be nearly impossible to stop us from completing our work. We’ll keep working and complete the walls because people’s lives depend on it.

When we’ve helped artists find the true purpose for their work, they become empowered. It doesn’t matter if they are filming, being interviewed, hosting a party, surviving a day gig, walking Pooch at the dog park, or stopping for a latte at the corner cafe, they keep building because they know why they are building. They understand that lives that are being impacted.

Let’s be encouraged today.
And let’s rebuild for a reason.

Go forth,
Naima

DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.