The Daily Devotional
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Building Walls of Faith
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Building Walls of Faith
We prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.
Nehemiah 4:9
Introduction
In Birmingham, England, Wallace and Mary Brown embarked on a mission not only to revive a declining church but also to rejuvenate the surrounding community. Unbeknownst to them, their new church and residence were in a gang-dominated area. The Browns endured months of harassment, including bricks thrown through their windows, fires set to their fences, and threats against their children, with the local police unable to curb these incidents. Their experience, reflecting the resilience and faith in Nehemiah 4:9, "So we prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.," highlights their commitment to both their faith and the community in the face of adversity.
Reflection
The narrative in Nehemiah illustrates the symbiotic relationship between faith and practical action. As Nehemiah and his followers faced significant resistance in reconstructing Jerusalem's walls, they combined prayer with tangible measures, such as appointing guards for their protection.
In a similar vein, the Browns confronted difficulties in their new community by integrating prayer with proactive steps. Their steadfast dedication in the face of adversity echoes Nehemiah's firm resolve.
The Book of Nehemiah recounts the Israelites rebuilding Jerusalem's crumbling walls amidst threats from local adversaries (Nehemiah 4:8). They counteracted these threats with both prayer and the establishment of guards (Nehemiah 4:9). Taking inspiration from this passage, the Browns and their supporters encircled their church, praying for heavenly protection and requesting angelic sentinels. Despite ridicule from the gang, a significant reduction in their numbers was observed: only half appeared the next day, even fewer the subsequent day, and none by the third day. Ultimately, the Browns learned that the gang had stopped their menacing activities.
Lesson 1: Prayer as the Foundation
Prayer was central to both Nehemiah’s and the Browns' approach. It wasn’t a passive act but a foundational step in facing their challenges. When we embark on difficult tasks, especially those aligned with God's purpose, prayer should be our first response, inviting divine wisdom and intervention.
Lesson 2: Action in Faith
Nehemiah and the Browns teach us that faith is not passive. It calls for action. Setting guards was a practical step for Nehemiah, just as the Browns' decision to pray around their church was an act of faith. Our faith often requires us to take steps that might seem unconventional or challenging, but are necessary for God’s work.
Lesson 3: Facing Opposition with Courage
Both stories highlight that opposition is often a part of doing God's work. The Browns' perseverance in the face of threats and Nehemiah’s courage against his adversaries remind us that challenges and resistance are often signs that we are moving in the right direction.
Conclusion
The story of Wallace and Mary Brown, deeply aligned with Nehemiah 4:9's message, serves as a profound illustration of the power that lies in combining prayer with decisive action. Their experience reminds us that while prayer is not a foolproof shield for safety, it is an essential component in confronting challenges, especially those against God's purposes. As we navigate our own trials, let us draw inspiration from Nehemiah's words, "Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome" (Nehemiah 4:14), and trust in the transformative power of faith and divine guidance, acknowledging that even the most adverse situations and intentions can be reshaped through God's intervention.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, like Nehemiah and the Browns, grant us the courage to face challenges with prayer and action. Help us to remember that in Your service, opposition is not a sign of failure, but an opportunity to demonstrate our faith through perseverance. Amen.
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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA www.ichthus-dnm.org
The Bible texts are from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click on the image to delve into the uplifting and soul-stirring devotional…
In Birmingham, England, Wallace and Mary Brown embarked on a mission not only to revive a declining church but also to rejuvenate the surrounding community. Unbeknownst to them, their new church and residence were in a gang-dominated area. The Browns endured months of harassment, including bricks thrown through their windows, fires set to their fences, and threats against their children, with the local police unable to curb these incidents. Their experience, reflecting the resilience and faith in Nehemiah 4:9, "So we prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.," highlights their commitment to both their faith and the community in the face of adversity.
Reflection
The narrative in Nehemiah illustrates the symbiotic relationship between faith and practical action. As Nehemiah and his followers faced significant resistance in reconstructing Jerusalem's walls, they combined prayer with tangible measures, such as appointing guards for their protection.
In a similar vein, the Browns confronted difficulties in their new community by integrating prayer with proactive steps. Their steadfast dedication in the face of adversity echoes Nehemiah's firm resolve.
The Book of Nehemiah recounts the Israelites rebuilding Jerusalem's crumbling walls amidst threats from local adversaries (Nehemiah 4:8). They counteracted these threats with both prayer and the establishment of guards (Nehemiah 4:9). Taking inspiration from this passage, the Browns and their supporters encircled their church, praying for heavenly protection and requesting angelic sentinels. Despite ridicule from the gang, a significant reduction in their numbers was observed: only half appeared the next day, even fewer the subsequent day, and none by the third day. Ultimately, the Browns learned that the gang had stopped their menacing activities.
Lesson 1: Prayer as the Foundation
Prayer was central to both Nehemiah’s and the Browns' approach. It wasn’t a passive act but a foundational step in facing their challenges. When we embark on difficult tasks, especially those aligned with God's purpose, prayer should be our first response, inviting divine wisdom and intervention.
Lesson 2: Action in Faith
Nehemiah and the Browns teach us that faith is not passive. It calls for action. Setting guards was a practical step for Nehemiah, just as the Browns' decision to pray around their church was an act of faith. Our faith often requires us to take steps that might seem unconventional or challenging, but are necessary for God’s work.
Lesson 3: Facing Opposition with Courage
Both stories highlight that opposition is often a part of doing God's work. The Browns' perseverance in the face of threats and Nehemiah’s courage against his adversaries remind us that challenges and resistance are often signs that we are moving in the right direction.
Conclusion
The story of Wallace and Mary Brown, deeply aligned with Nehemiah 4:9's message, serves as a profound illustration of the power that lies in combining prayer with decisive action. Their experience reminds us that while prayer is not a foolproof shield for safety, it is an essential component in confronting challenges, especially those against God's purposes. As we navigate our own trials, let us draw inspiration from Nehemiah's words, "Remember the LORD, who is great and awesome" (Nehemiah 4:14), and trust in the transformative power of faith and divine guidance, acknowledging that even the most adverse situations and intentions can be reshaped through God's intervention.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, like Nehemiah and the Browns, grant us the courage to face challenges with prayer and action. Help us to remember that in Your service, opposition is not a sign of failure, but an opportunity to demonstrate our faith through perseverance. Amen.
-------------------------
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA www.ichthus-dnm.org
The Bible texts are from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Click on the image to delve into the uplifting and soul-stirring devotional…
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