Nehemiah’s story is told in the book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah: Building Walls and Strengthening Faith
Have you ever seen something broken and wished you could fix it? That’s how Nehemiah felt when he heard about the ruined walls of Jerusalem. He didn’t ignore the problem. Instead, he turned to God, stepped up as a leader, and helped restore not only the city—but also the people’s faith.
Nehemiah’s story shows us that when we care deeply, pray faithfully, and act boldly, God can use us to make a real difference.
Who Was Nehemiah?
Nehemiah wasn’t a prophet or a king. He was a cupbearer to the king of Persia—a trusted job that involved serving drinks and protecting the king from harm. But more than that, Nehemiah was a man who loved God and cared about his people.
Even though he lived far from Jerusalem, his heart broke when he heard that the city walls were still destroyed and the people were in trouble.
A Broken Wall and a Burdened Heart
When Nehemiah heard the news about Jerusalem, he didn’t rush into action. First, he sat down, wept, and prayed. He fasted and confessed the sins of his people, asking God to forgive and help them.
This shows us something important: before Nehemiah built walls, he built his prayers.
Permission to Rebuild
After days of prayer, Nehemiah took a brave step. He asked King Artaxerxes for permission to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. That could have been dangerous—but the king not only said yes, he also gave Nehemiah supplies and protection for the journey.
Clearly, God had opened the door.
Facing Opposition
Rebuilding wasn’t easy. As soon as Nehemiah started the work, enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah began mocking and threatening him. They tried everything to stop the work—insults, lies, and even threats of violence.
But Nehemiah didn’t give in. He encouraged the people to pray and keep building. At one point, they worked with one hand on the wall and the other holding a sword!
When the enemies tried to distract Nehemiah, he gave this powerful reply:
“I am doing a great work and cannot come down.” — Nehemiah 6:3
A Finished Wall and a Renewed Faith
With courage and teamwork, the wall was finished in just 52 days. That was amazing—especially considering all the opposition. The people knew it was God who helped them.
But Nehemiah didn’t stop there. He invited Ezra the priest to read God’s Word to the people. They listened, wept, and repented of their sins. Then they celebrated and made a fresh promise to follow God.
Nehemiah helped rebuild more than a wall—he helped rebuild a community of faith.
What We Can Learn from Nehemiah
Nehemiah’s life teaches us some powerful lessons:
1. Start with prayer.
Nehemiah prayed first—and kept praying throughout the journey.
2. Stay focused.
He didn’t let fear or distractions stop him from doing what God called him to do.
3. Ordinary people can do great things.
Nehemiah wasn’t a prophet or a priest. He was a servant with a heart for God—and God used him in a big way.
Final Thoughts
Nehemiah’s story reminds us that rebuilding takes more than bricks—it takes faith, courage, and commitment. Whether we’re facing broken relationships, struggling churches, or personal challenges, we can follow Nehemiah’s example: pray, trust God, and take action.
What is God calling you to build or rebuild today?