You’re reading NEHEMIAH: LESSONS IN REBUILDING, by Eric Elder, featuring 15 inspiring devotionals based on one of the most ambitious rebuilding projects of all time. Also available in paperback and eBook formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 3:1-32

You know how to eat an elephant, right?  One bite at a time.  It’s the same with any big project that God has called you to do.  While it may seem overwhelming, there comes a time―after all the thinking and planning and praying―that you just have to take the plunge and start rebuilding.

Nehemiah and his friends were finally ready to take the plunge themselves in Nehemiah chapter 3, when they began to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, section by section and gate by gate.

Nehemiah gives a detailed description of all they did, starting with the work of Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests:

“Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.  The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs…” (Nehemiah 3:1-4).

This detailed description of the work continues for the rest of the chapter.  They repaired the Jeshanah Gate, the Broad Wall, the Tower of the Ovens, the Valley Gate, the Dung Gate.  They worked on the Fountain Gate, the wall of the Pool of Siloam, and up to the House of the Heroes. They continued on to the Water Gate, the Horse Gate, the East Gate, the Inspection Gate, and the Sheep Gate.  As you read the report, you can tell this is one of the largest building projects undertaken in the Bible.  And many of the gates in Jerusalem today still have these same names!

You could say it all started back when God first put the idea into Nehemiah’s heart.  But the work of his hands was just as important.

After thinking and planning and praying about your own project, you may have some good ideas for what needs to be done.  But sometimes it’s taking that first step of actual work that’s the most important.  They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and today may be the day for you to take yours.

What specific action step can you take today to advance the project that God has put on your heart?  If you’ve been blocked at various points along the way, what other steps can you take in the mean time?  If you’re waiting on God, that’s fine.  But if He’s waiting on you, then you’d better get going!

When I first began my Internet ministry, I went to pick out a computer.  I had just quit my job and didn’t have a computer of my own, so I needed to get one to begin the work.  So I shopped and shopped, checking prices and features, trying to find just the right one.

At one point, I felt like God was saying:  “I’ve called you to walk alongside Me in this, but My stride is long, so you’d better get going if you want to keep up!”  I knew I’d better get moving!  Twelve years and several computers later, I still have more steps to take to keep up with all that God wants me to do.  I just need to keep moving forward, too, step by step.

Have you ever seen a round tuit?  If not, join the club.  They must be pretty rare, though, and they must be pretty valuable, too, because when people talk about the big dreams they want to accomplish in their lives, they often add, “But I’ve just never gotten a round tuit.”  :)

Maybe today’s your lucky day and you’ll finally get “a round tuit” for yourself!  Look around and see what specific steps you can take today toward fulfilling the dream God has put on your heart.  Then take it!

Prayer: Father, I want to keep up with You and Your plans for my life.  Help me to take whatever steps I need to take today to advance the project You’ve put on my heart.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.