15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NASB)
52 days – Amazing!
Fifty-two days and the whole wall around Jerusalem was completed. As a project manager, I can assure you that this was an amazing feat. At a minimum, it took a great deal of coordination and planning – not to mention the management of the work. Nehemiah was a great leader, as we’ve seen so many times. But he had a greater God behind him.
Impact
What was the impact of the wall being finished? Of course it meant protection for the city. It also meant that all the tricks of the enemy had been foiled, beaten back. What a contrast in emotion between the Jews inside the city and their enemies outside. The Jews were rejoicing and probably praising the Lord and giving thanks. Their enemy was stunned with fear. They “lost their confidence”. They could no longer easily control the Jews and take advantage of them.
Protection at last!
The wall was important because it provided protection from enemies which means peace inside the city. It also meant the enemies lost control of the Jews. God helped miraculously since He desired peace in Jerusalem and freedom and protection for His people. God will help us build spiritual walls to protect us from the enemy so we can have peace within.
What is causing you anxiety and is sapping your peace? Be like Nehemiah and seek the Lord and His Word diligently and faithfully. Ask Him for help. Trust that He is willing and able.
“The best answer to opposition is to keep working and fulfill God’s will; thus others will see God’s power.” (planobiblechapel.org quoting Breneman, p. 213) Another way to say that is my “life verse”, Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
