“Let us rise up and build,” shouted the Jews. It was a “a time to buildup” (Eccl. 3:2-4). The desire of Nehemiah and his brethren was being fulfilled in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. After many years of desolation, the reproach and shame of Zion would be taken away. Once again, the city of David, “the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth,” would arise out of the dust and be seen among the nations. Surely, new-found zeal would be surge through their hearts causing them fervently to seek the God of their fathers.
Obstacles Overcome
Many obstacles faced them; open opposition, discouragement, sabotage, scandals, fear, inabilities, and half-hearted brethren. Overwhelming odds seemed to tower over them as a mountain. Yet they endured and the teaching of the Master is previewed: “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not … ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done” (Matt. 21:21). Their faith indeed moved mountains for the seemingly impossible was done: “the wall was finished … in fifty and two days” (Neh. 6:15).
A Like Faith Needed Today
This victory required faith, zeal and determination. Against hope, they believed in hope. Where are the men and women of this age who go “forth conquering and to conquer?” “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” The faith that may be absent at Christ’s return is the kind that makes a living reality of the Truth. In these materialistic, ruthless times, men do not put trust and faith in God but upon things that can be seen and handled. This is the spirit of the world and penetrates everywhere. Sadly, even the ecclesia, “the pillar and ground of the truth,” is affected.
Only Failure Now?
As a result, many brethren only see hopelessness and futility in laboring for the Truth. They measure the “success” of gospel proclamation in materialistic terms. “Advertising doesn’t work! Look at the facts. We spent all this money and no one responded!” Subsequent ecclesial projects will meet with resistance. Even the zeal and works of those who endeavor to uphold the command, “speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour,” will be crushed and ridiculed. Such brethren are not valiant for the Truth and lack the vision to project themselves beyond present difficulties.
Let Us Build Now
Let us take heed how we build. God is not as interested in the wall that we build as He is in the effort and participation that is demonstrated. All of us have certain talents; some have five, others two, others only one, “each according to his several ability.” Yet all of us have one great “pound” to care for, the “pound” of God’s salvation. Let us, therefore, energetically use our talents in the “common salvation” we share that we might “enter into the joy of the Lord” and not be as that “wicked and slothful servant” who laid aside his responsibility and took off his “sweat cloth” (Jude 3, Mt. 25:26; Lk. 19:20).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One