During a trip to Brazil with a short-term missions team, we helped construct a church building in the Amazon jungle. The foundation had already been laid. We needed to assemble the church like a giant LEGO set, which included putting in the supporting columns, sliding in the concrete walls and windows, raising the steel beams for the roof, placing all the tiles on the roof, and painting the walls.
Some people were concerned because we were traveling to such a remote area during the monsoon season. They wondered if we could build the church in time. But by God’s grace the intense rain didn’t fall while we worked. We felt His strength and our workforce increased when a few locals helped us build. Despite various obstacles, we got the job done in record time.
When Nehemiah and the Israelites rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls, they faced many obstacles. When their enemies found out they were repairing the wall, they were furious and insulted them (Nehemiah 4:1-3). But Nehemiah prayed and the people persevered together. “We rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” (v. 6). When their foes threatened to attack, the Israelites prayed and kept guard as they worked (vv. 7-23). They rebuilt the wall in fifty-two days.
Sometimes we’re faced with a daunting task. Obstacles appear in our way, and we and our brothers and sisters in Christ can lose hope. But times like this can be a triumphant moment, with the help of God. Trust Him to hold off the rainstorms and look to Him to overcome.