Nehemiah 1:3
“And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.”
Sin can leave a life in ruins. Just like the walls and gates of Jerusalem were left in rubbles because of the sin of Israel, sin will also leave your life in rubble. However, as long as a person is alive, there is hope that they can be used again. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls from rubble, and God can rebuild a life that sin has destroyed.
The elements of rebuilding a life are found in what it took to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Notice, we are not talking about building a life, but rebuilding a life. A life that sin has ruined needs these elements if it is going to be rebuilt.
First, it takes prayer to rebuild a life. Nehemiah bathed his work in prayer, and you must bathe the work of rebuilding a life in prayer. It will take God to rebuild a life left in shambles, and prayer is the key element in rebuilding that life. Not only must the person who is helping rebuild the life bathe their work in prayer, but the one whose life is being rebuilt must spend much time in prayer.
Second, it takes vision to rebuild a life. Nehemiah saw a wall rebuilt when others only saw the rubble of the wall. You must never give up on a life being rebuilt. Others may think a person can never be rebuilt, but you must stay optimistic that God has the power to rebuild them. Have a vision for the person who needs their life rebuilt. Believe in them and let them know that God can use them again.
Third, it takes determination to rebuild a life. Nehemiah had many opportunities to become discouraged, but he was determined to rebuild the walls. You must not let setbacks stop you from rebuilding a life. The person whose life is being rebuilt must be determined that they are going to make it back, and the person helping to rebuild the life must be determined that they can be rebuilt. Don’t quit just because there is a setback.
Fourth, it takes a deaf ear to rebuild a life. Nehemiah was ridiculed, but he kept on building. You must not listen to all the accusations that fly when a life is being rebuilt, you simply need to stay focused on the work at hand. When the ridicule comes, don’t listen to it.
Fifth, it takes a positive peer group to rebuild a life. Nehemiah didn’t rebuild the wall alone, but he had many people helping him. If your life is going to be rebuilt, then you need to surround yourself with a positive peer group who will guide you into doing the right things. Likewise, you must be sure to put the person whose life is being rebuilt into a positive peer group that will help them succeed.
Sixth, it takes hard work to rebuild a life. It was hard work for Nehemiah and the people to rebuild the wall. Likewise, it will take hard work to rebuild a life. The person whose life is being rebuilt is going to have to work hard to do right, but also the person rebuilding the life is going to have to work hard. It is not easy, but the work is worth it.
If you’re life is in shambles, then take hope that it can be rebuilt. If your looking for something to do in the Christian life, then invest your efforts in rebuilding lives. God is in the rebuilding business, and you will find the greatest fulfillment in life comes when you have helped a life that was in shambles to be rebuilt.