“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”
After many months of dreaming and planning, my brother had a huge goal; to build a hot rod like the one on American graffiti. I can remember helping him search junk yards for parts and dragging everything back to Danny’s garage to build it. Chuck and I slapped on Bondo and sanded for many hours by hand and with an electric sander. As we went along, we had to learn a lot about engines and everything else that goes into building a hot rod. I will never forget the day that it was finished.
Chuck was not ready to show anyone until it was completed. Before that day, he was ridiculed and his friends said that he was probably not working on anything at all. Even I was a little skeptical at times because it was taking so much time to build. I was busy with college and could not help as much in the final days. The day came for Chuck to roll it up to the school parking lot. That day, my brother solidified his reputation and silenced all the critics. He catapulted up to the top of society in high school and it was clear of his abilities to build a hot rod.
Nehemiah was in a similar situation. Building the wall was a huge deal and being a great leader, Nehemiah was getting it done. All the neighboring countries, the enemies, were constantly ridiculing him and the Israelites about their ability to get the wall done. He even had to deal with some internal turmoil from his own people over taxing and taking advantage of the poor. Through all of that, Nehemiah led the people of God and finished the wall in 52 days. Interestingly enough, the ridicule did not end until the wall was finished but God was at work behind it all.
Maybe you are in a similar situation. Working hard every day trying to complete what is put in front of you and facing criticism and all kinds of jokes. My brother felt like quitting many times in his quest to build a hot rod but he pushed through all the disappointments and short falls. In the end, it was clear that Chuck had a gift that many of his friends did not have. Are you close to quitting because of how hard the work is, or because the people around you still don’t believe you can do it?
Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We all face trying times and seasons but I can tell you that if you believe in God’s plan and submit to the process, you will have peace that passes your own understanding. You don’t have to go looking for it because it is within you. Today, tell yourself “don’t quit” and keep moving forward doing what God has tasked you with because He is helping you. If you are reading this and your world is coming down all around you, then it may be time for you to lay down your hammer and stop swinging at life under your own power. Rest in the grace of God that he freely gives us through his son Jesus and don’t give up.
Let It Go 
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