We need help.

Nehemiah 3:13 - The valley gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zonoah, they rebuild it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. They also repaired five hundred yards of the wall as far as the Dung Gate. The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem, He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.

What have you done recently where your name is written beside something you have helped achieve or done?

There is always something or someone requesting a helping hand, which makes me think there should never be an excuse to why our name shouldn’t be down as someone who has helped something or somebody else.

Nehemiah needed help. He had a great task ahead of him and that involved rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah knew that if he could rebuild the walls it would reestablish security from within and the people would no longer be walking around in disgrace with no purpose. So he rallied the people with one purpose - To rebuild the walls to the city… And that would allow them to rebuild their lives.

What I like about this story, is the AMOUNT of people that got involved to help out rebuilding the walls. It’s a very healthy sign of unity when large numbers of a people group get behind a project that helps the wider community. The other thing I like about his story is: I don’t hear excuses as to why people couldn’t get involved… like, “I’m too busy.” Consider Malkijah who rebuilt the Dung Gate. (Who would have wanted to rebuild the Dung Gate? Or let alone have your name in the history books recorded on building it)… but Malkijah didn’t use excuses… I’m sure he could have got away with saying, “I’m too busy.” He was the ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem, or, “I’m too important to get my hands dirty.”

No he got involved.

The wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day was a testimony of many people’s hard work. And Nehemiah is famous for rallying the people to rebuild it.

Friends we could make another famous story in history about achievements - if only we wouldn’t use excuses and would work together as a people group - so I ask as I am challenged today…

What will you get involved in and help with today?