Half-hearted, half-way

Nehemiah 3 & 4

If you’ve ever embarked on a DIY project, you know that the messiest point in the process is when you’re half-way; the old is in shambles and still very visible, and the new is such a contrast that it looks like nothing is quite right. At this point, it’s easy to question whether you should have started in the first place and to wonder if it would be best to give up before things get even worse. It’s disheartening.

When Nate and I have been in the middle of home renovations, at least one of us faces a crisis of doubt, asking, “will this really work?!”. And we expect the other one to muster up some words of encouragement to double down and keep going, even if we only half-believe in ourselves. A simple raised eyebrow at the fragile midpoint could be the straw that topples confidence and halts improvements altogether.

In Nehemiah 3, God’s people have risen to the task of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, and in chapter 4, their dedication raises the wall to half its height (4:6). The word half is repeated 4 times in chapter 4, describing the messy middle.

Not only do the people face their own internal questions about progress on the wall (4:10), they hear external threats, mockery, and slander about it (4:2,3,8,11,12). Because of this, Nehemiah is forced to divide his man-power in half, grouping them into construction teams and protection teams (4:16,21). Even those on the construction team are half-soldiers, one hand laboring at the task and the other hand holding a weapon (4:17). Midpoint calls for multiplication, not multitasking, but circumstances won’t allow that kind of focus, and, under such conditions, it’s no wonder that they became half-hearted half-way through.

I don’t know what project God has called you to for the sake of his people, but don’t be surprised if you arrive at the half-way point, only to doubt the whole idea because you’re divided in all directions. The Enemy will hurl the same five insults at us that he threw in the face of Israel all those years ago (4:2):

Who are YOU to do this? You’re ill-equipped.

You think God can help you? You’re all alone.

Is your goal really achievable? You’re dreaming.

How long will this take? You’ll never finish.

Don’t you see how bad things are? You don’t have the resources.

Even if all that you have is halved, “the Lord is great and awesome” (4:14). He frustrates the Enemy’s plans and fights for His own (4:15,20), doubling down when we’re forced to divide.

The Weight of Waiting

This summer, the boys and I often dropped in at our local YMCA. On the way to my trusty treadmill, I’d pass the weight-lifters and try not to stare at the contorted faces under the strain of their routine (AKA torture). Their effort was audible most of the time, so I’d quickly put my earbuds in place to drown out the sound of their exhaustion. 

In reality, a little pain, sweat, and tears are to be expected at the Y.  We anticipate spending energy and bearing some discomfort for the health benefits that we’ll gain in return. We know that time + resistance = strength.

What I so easily forget is that time + resistance in life builds strength too - and that resistance usually comes in the form of waiting.

Waiting is a workout for our faith, but I don’t usually wait like I’ve just entered faith’s YMCA, and I don’t willingly sign up for that membership. There’s no sign overhead alerting me to the fact that I’ve just stepped foot into a gymnasium full of opportunities and equipment that will strengthen my faith over time. 

If I don’t wait like it’s a workout,

fatigue will come as a surprise.

I’ll chide myself, lose motivation, and I’ll quit. 

Time gradually increases the weight and adds in more reps that won’t crush my faith; instead, time chisels it. While waiting, faith pushes back to become shapely and strong, capable of so much more than its previous limits.

If you’re waiting on God, he’s attentive and knowledgeable and deeply committed to increasing your faith’s stamina, like a personal trainer at the Y.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength. 

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

Approved & Pleasing

Last week, after returning from a retreat and launching a women’s Bible study at our church, an attack from the enemy came full-force into my heart:

“No one will be closer to Jesus because of those verses.”

“All you did was talk about things that don’t matter.”

“That was a waste of time.”

“If you didn’t see tears, the Word didn’t reach hearts.”

“You think there was any power behind that message?”

Etcetera. In the moment, those words landed as more valid and true than any other words. 

I’m sure you’ve been there. You’ve given yourself to something God called you into, and afterward, the second-guessing, the doubts, and the lies land heavy. “What was I even thinking to imagine God could use me?”, we ask ourselves.

But there are words more valid and true that fight back like a sword:

1. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

We put forth effort within our callings so that we stand tested and approved by God, not by others, and not even by ourselves, so tainted by pride and vulnerable to deception. Feedback and self-evaluation have their place, but they don't determine whether God approves. Handling God’s word faithfully enables us to stand unashamed in its truth when the enemy aims darts of shame at us.

…So was I aiming for God’s approval by accurately handling His word? 

2. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Pleasing God begins with faith, not with activity. Actions within our calling must be based on faith that God is calling! We draw nearer to God in what He’s calling us to do, because we believe that He is in it and that He rewards our step of faith.

…So was I walking by faith in what I did?

Although I did it feebly, these were the truths I had to take to heart and the questions I asked back at the lies. Whatever God has called you to today, arm yourself with words more valid and true than all other words.

Seeing God’s Glory, part 2

God is continually pulling back the curtain on His glory, but it’s difficult to notice it in our everyday life, unless we know what we’re looking for. We saw a few examples of God’s glory gradually being revealed in the Old Testament last week, but now we step behind the veil through the person of Jesus Christ.

God’s glory in person:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14. 

Jesus’ identity and character flesh out God’s glory.

After Jesus turned water to wine, John wrote, “This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory.  And His disciples believed in Him.”

John 2:11 

In speaking of Lazarus’s sickness, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

John 11:4

Jesus’ miracles show God’s glory and point to Christ as Savior.

“And as [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face was altered and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold two men were talking with him, Moses, and Elijah, who appeared in glory…Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.”

Luke 9:29-32

Jesus’ transfiguration displays God’s glory.

God’s glory internalized:

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” 

Romans 6:4

The glory of the Father raised Jesus and gives us new life in Him.

“And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

The Holy Spirit reveals greater degrees of God’s glory in us as we become like Christ.

God’s glory in the future:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

God’s glory outweighs suffering. 

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” Revelation 21:23,24

 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”  Habakkuk 2:14 

God’s glory enlightens and consumes all other glories.

May we live today, not looking for our own glory, but rather with eyes of faith set on this guaranteed glorious future.

Seeing God’s Glory

 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” 

Habakkuk 2:14 

This is the promised future, but it’s hard to see hope through all the darkness. Like a dimmer switch gradually flooding a room with light, so God’s glory - the weight of His presence -  is on a trajectory of becoming increasingly visible over time. Our eyes haven’t adjusted fully, but He’s given us glimpses of glory from the very beginning, proof that there’s still more to come.

God’s glory in creation

“The heavens declare the glory of God, the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Psalm 19:1

Study and enjoy nature as a way to see His glory.

God’s glory in action

“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory’...

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 

‘the LORD, the LORD, 

a God merciful and gracious, 

slow to anger, 

and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 

keeping steadfast love for thousands, 

forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, 

but who will by no means clear the guilty,

visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children 

and the children’s children to the third and fourth generation’.”

Exodus 33:18; 34;6,7 

Look at God’s actions toward humanity to see His glory.

God’s glory in visions

Centuries after Moses lived, the prophet Ezekiel sees “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.”

Ezekiel 1:28.

He attempts to express this vision of glory, like…well,…kind of…

“A great cloud with brightness all around it…” 1:4

“The likeness of four living creatures…they had human likeness, but each had four faces, 

and each of them had four wings…And the living creatures darted to and fro, 

like the appearance of a flash of lightning.” 1:5-14

“I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them…

their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl…as it were, a wheel within a wheel…

and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around…

Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, 

for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” 1:15-21
“Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, 

shining like awe-inspiring crystal…

above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, 

in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne 

was a likeness with a human appearance…” 1:22-28

Let the inexplicable aspects of God’s glory move you to worship.

But it doesn’t end here. Thankfully, God kept pulling back the curtain on His glory, and we’ll step behind that veil next week.