‘Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, “This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.”’
Nearly five centuries after Nehemiah, the Greatest Teacher of them all shared this wisdom with those who were listening. His message: weigh the cost; follow through with your intentions; finish what you started. He was talking about the decision to follow Him; but in practical terms, it could just as easily apply to any great task to which the Lord calls us.
As we have seen, Nehemiah had such a task, a calling. He had the king’s favour and the opportunity to tackle it. However, the fact that his initial prayer had been answered, and the door opened, was no excuse for him to just ‘wing it’; in today’s passage we see how Nehemiah prepared thoroughly for the great task set before him.
First, he settled in – note that it was three days (v11) before he began his survey, and at this stage he told no-one about it. Second, he surveyed the scene. He went out and inspected every metre of the walls (vv13-15). He wanted to know exactly what was required, before the third stage, which was… he shared his vision: (v17) ‘Then I said to [the officials]: “You see the trouble we are in… Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”’ Note that Nehemiah wisely focuses more on the outcome of success (the vision i.e. honour and a renewed reputation for God’s people) than the task itself.
This achieved its desired effect, and the people were ready to get on with ‘this good work’ (v18). But there is a fourth stage, which will prove increasingly important as the narrative develops: Nehemiah stayed resolute. Opposition from other locals who stood to lose by the renewal of Jerusalem starts to get louder and more insistent (v19); however, Nehemiah is ready to respond. He knows his history, as well as what is required for this task: (v20) ‘You have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.’
As time progresses, we’ll see how the opposition becomes fiercer and more intimidating; more on that in a few days’ time. But today, let’s be inspired by Nehemiah’s purposeful planning and preparation. God equips those He calls; but he also expects us to play our part – to prepare ourselves, weighing the cost, following through with our intentions and forming a determination to finish what we started. Whatever the Lord is doing in you and with you at present, resolve again to co-operate fully and faithfully; and trust that as you pray, plan and prepare, He will open the doors, equipping you every step of the way.