Daily interactions sap my strength. The challenges and hardships I and my friends face drain away joy. This world is not for the faint of heart.

Every good adventure movie features a powerful villain about to vanquish the hero until the very end when fortunes reverse. Good triumphs over evil, the villain sulks away and everyone lives happily ever after.

Nehemiah faced a convoy of villains as he led the citizens of Jerusalem in rebuilding the city walls. They faced such credible threats that each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.

Along with violence, Nehemiah’s opponents spread rumors of his desire to finish the walls and declare himself king, which meant swift reprisals from the leaders of the empire. A full-one smear campaign at work.

But Nehemiah persisted, working the curses of his enemies into his prayers. He wrote of the experience: They were all trying to frighten me, thinking “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

His enemies hoped to discourage Nehemiah into dropping his trowel. Instead, Nehemiah prayed the opposite and the Lord responded.

In 52 days the wall stood complete, an amazing accomplishment. The nations who opposed the work were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

The Lord reversed the curse. Which is one reason to pray today. On my own I cannot fix all the problems around me, or heal the wounds of this world, or make wise the foolish.

But I can ask the Lord—the one who answered the prayers of Nehemiah—to work in reverse. Then who knows what amazing results I might see?

Nehemiah 6 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20

I notice two types of workers at coffee shops. The most common appears uninterested in the customer standing at the counter (me) and punches in my order with boredom. The second type greets me with enthusiasm, asks about my day and smiles through the process. A cup of coffee tastes much better from the hand of a cheerful barista.

The book of Nehemiah tells the fascinating story about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Led by returning exiles, the citizens started moving rock. People with all sorts of skills step forward, including perfumers and goldsmiths.

In the long list of volunteers, one stands out for his fervent attitude—Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section.

Only Baruch garnered the description of zealous. The word means he burned with intensity, or he glowed as he went to work.

I wonder what brought this response out of Baruch? Was the rebuilding of the wall the fulfillment of a long-delayed dream? Did the wall represent years of prayers finally answered? Or did the task present an unexpected opportunity to step into God’s plan and rebuild part of the holy city?

Baruch recognized the hand of God. Even more than his neighbors, Baruch sensed his work on the wall displayed the goodness of the Lord to his people, the nations around them and the generations to follow. Baruch knew he contributed to a great undertaking and the glow leaked out.

Baruch caught the vision. Where do you and I need the Lord to give us fresh eyes? It’s a worthy prayer to ask the Lord to burn with the zeal of Baruch as we take part shoulder to shoulder in his work.

Nehemiah 3 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Tyler Nix

I’m not one for hard lessons in my life. I’d rather read about them happening to some other poor sap. But I know the Lord, like all good parents, corrects those he loves, and I’d much rather live under his direction than anyone else’s.

The psalmist writes on this theme, blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, until a pit it dug for the wicked.

Speaking of the wicked, later the psalmist asks the Lord, can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?

Notice the difference. In the first case, wise words from the Lord deliver discipline, which bears relief during troublesome times. Contrast those with words maneuvered by unscrupulous leaders to codify injustice into law and condemn innocent people to death.

Which words to embrace? Whose idea of flourishing to feed our hearts? Far better the words and justice of the Lord, than the twisting of language and ideals by corrupt people out for themselves.

But how do I know which of these dueling views influences me the most? Likely the one I spend the most time with. When I’m in the scriptures, I put myself under teachings from the Lord. As I make this a daily habit, his law seeps deeper into the recesses of my life.

This remains the only way I see to learn the lessons—and enjoy the blessings—the Lord holds for us.

Psalm 94 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Patrick Tomasso