Kingdom Builders
But as for you, be strong; don’t give up, for your work has a reward. 2 Chronicles 15:7
“Can we build it? Yes, we can!” When Colin was a small child, one of his favorite children’s television shows was Bob the Builder. For those unfamiliar, Bob was a building contractor with a partner named Wendy. Together with their friends, such as Muck the dump truck and Dizzy the cement mixer, they would solve problems and get things done with a positive attitude. While I have never personally overseen or taken an active part in a building endeavor, I have lived vicariously through friends and family who have. My employer and my church have been involved in numerous building campaigns. With any project involving building, challenges always arise, the main one being delays. This may take the form of inclement weather, labor shortages, out of stock building materials, or permit issues, to name a few. When these delays happen, a building project can grind to a halt and be pushed way beyond schedule.
Nehemiah became the Biblical equivalent of Bob the Builder. He was an Israelite official who worked as an assistant to the King of Persia. He was not a builder, nor was he a prophet or a priest—just a man with a burden for God’s people and God's purposes. The Israelites were captured by the Babylonians and exiled. The city of Jerusalem had been destroyed. At the beginning of Nehemiah, a portion of the people had returned to the town and had been back for almost a century. But the walls surrounding the city had not been rebuilt. Nehemiah would no longer allow this to be ignored. He had a dream, an assignment, a mission from God to rebuild what was broken, to restore identity, security, and worship in God's city. He had a plan and implemented it. He was very strategic and pulled many in to help.
Along the way, Nehemiah met opposition. Some tried to divert his attention from the task so that he might not complete the job. They tried intimidation and fear. They falsely accused him. They tried to persuade others not to help. But Nehemiah did not give up. Why? Because he knew the work was God’s, not just his own. Turn in your Bibles to Nehemiah 6:15-16 and read this passage. Nehemiah and his team of Israelites completed the rebuilding of the walls in just 52 days! It was God appointed work, an impossible task aside from Him.
Like Nehemiah, as believers, we’re called to be Kingdom builders. That might not mean literal walls, but it means restoring what is broken in our families, communities, churches, and hearts. It means partnering with God to see His Kingdom come "on earth as it is in heaven." As Kingdom builders today, we are to respond like Nehemiah did: 1) listen for God's call, 2) respond with prayerful action, 3) build together, each doing our part, 4) persevere, even when it's hard.
We are all building something—perhaps a career, a family, a reputation, or a dream. These can be worthy pursuits, but only if they don't distract us from what matters most: building the Kingdom of God and leaving a legacy of faith behind. May we search our hearts and ask God what He wants to accomplish in and through us, and then act on that without delay or distraction.
My involvement in any given building project would be limited to painting or staining. I would love to know how to build, even if it were just a new deck or shelving units around my fireplace. I have a nephew who is in the construction business. I am amazed at how a house can be built from the ground up! Maybe I’ll take classes at Home Depot or watch some YouTube videos. Never too late to learn!. However, more than just the physical building, I want to do my part in sharing God’s Word, telling others about Him, sharing the gospel, and in doing so, building the Kingdom. Will you join me?
Call to Action
What will you contribute within the next couple of months (52 days) to help build the Kingdom? (ie, share the gospel with a neighbor, lead a small group, be in the Word daily, serve the less fortunate, etc.) How might you use the four steps that Nehemiah took during this process (see above)?
What distractions are you facing now in different areas of your life? What steps can you take to limit or eliminate these distractions?
Where do you need a “don’t give up’ attitude?
If you are currently facing opposition in life, what can you learn from Nehemiah to apply to your situation?
Digging Deeper
Go back and read all ten chapters of the Book of Nehemiah. Make notes of all the steps Nehemiah took to rebuild the walls and how he was able to accomplish his mission in such a short time. Then, apply this knowledge to your life.
Prayer
Lord, give me Nehemiah’s heart—a heart that hears your call, prays, and works faithfully. Show me where I can build for Your Kingdom. Help me not to be discouraged but see the potential of restoration through You. Amen.
Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens
