“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” - Psalms 127:1 (NIV)

There are many instances in the Bible where God commissions one to build something. Noah was called upon to build the ark. “So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out” (Gen 6:14). Nehemiah went out and rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. “Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (Nehemiah 2:17). King Solomon built a temple for the Lord. “So Solomon built the temple and completed it (I Kings 14).

Several aspects common to all building projects is time, resources and effort against odds. The dream of building the temple started with David. He “called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel” (I Chronicles 22:6). Nehemiah did not re build the wall all by himself. “Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (Nehemiah 2:17). He faced opposition and setbacks. “But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it” (Nehemiah 4: 7-8).

Today God may be calling you to build something. Ask God to provide you with resources as He did for Noah, Solomon, Nehemiah and many of His people. Do not find it surprising if you are attacked and opposed for Nehemiah experienced the same but never gave in. “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome (Nehemiah 4: 14-15).

Keep the vision alive just as David did who passed on the dream to his son Solomon. And once all is done give a prayer of thanks to Him who has made it all possible. For after the temple had gone up Solomon prayed, “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised.. so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other” (I Kings 8: 56-60).

Prayer for today: Lord father God throughout time you have gathered your people, impressed upon them a vision to build something, and enabled them; I now pray that as you did for Noah, Nehemiah and Solomon you enable me see to the completion of the building task before me, to your glory!