The book of Nehemiah recounts a season where a remnant of Israel returns to the city of Jerusalem (or rather, what’s left of it) to rebuild the city and, mainly, its walls after it had been laid to waste by the Babylonian Empire. Their attempt to rebuild, however, was not met without hardship and frustration. In addition to the normal toil of construction, there is also constant criticism from enemies, ceaseless threat from other nations, and even internal opposition from within.
And so, Nehemiah—as the leader of this rebuilding project—appoints leaders, mobilizes teams, positions builders and renovators, stations guards and watchmen, enlists ‘men of valor,’ and implements strategies for rebuilding wall in the midst of their great opposition. But there’s one peculiar detail woven throughout the entire book: Nehemiah’s continual installment of singers and choir.
It seems odd and out of place. Why place such a high premium on singers and a choir…
….in the middle of a rebuilding project?
…in the context of impending threat from other nations, poised to attack?
…in the midst of ceaseless criticism, coming from outside?
…in the midst of all the complaining and questioning, coming from within?
Couldn’t Nehemiah have enlisted these people in something, perhaps… more productive?
Evidently, in Nehemiah’s view, having singers and a portable choir ready at all times was precisely what was needed as their national security currently laid in shambles, construction needs were pressing, and operations and logistics were just starting to come together. Where vulnerability was high and morale was low, where demand was high and supply was low, and where adequate staffing could not be more needed—Nehemiah makes it a point to install singers and a portable choir.
Does that strike you as odd? Why make that a priority, especially at times like this?
This image communicates a profound Christian principle, woven into how we—like the Jews—ought to approach ‘rebuilding’ certain areas of our own lives and being faithful to our callings: We worship.
The reality is that all of us—especially when we are in a season of ‘rebuilding’—will be met with opposition, discouragement, and doubt. All of us—especially in those seasons—will feel particularly vulnerable, unstable, and weak. And all of us—especially in those seasons—will be tempted to prioritize everything else over worship.
And Nehemiah knew there was no ‘wartime’ strategy that will refocus us, reassure us, and revive us, especially in the difficult seasons, quite like worship. Productivity, progress, and potential can only go so far as motivating factors, because they are contingent upon circumstance. This is why in hard, ‘rebuilding’ seasons, we need more than just the ‘needle’ to keep moving forward based on what our own limited perspective tells us. Especially in ‘rebuilding’ seasons, we need a God who is over them; who is faithful to us; and who is infinitely more committed to carrying out a great work in our own lives than even we are for ourselves.
John Piper says, “Worship is more than singing. It is war.”
When we worship through song, we wage war against fear, discouragement, doubt, and unbelief—our true opponents. Worship reminds our hearts of the character and promises of God; it reorients our minds around what is true; and it re-strengthens our hands for the work He has called us to do.
When we are racked with unbelief, tempted to compromise, weighed down with discouragement, or pricked by criticism—the best strategy, first and foremost, is worshiping God and centering ourselves on Him. It’s not to bury our heads in the sand; it’s not to develop a Stoic-like perspective; it’s not to ignore criticism; it’s not to believe more strongly in ourselves and our own capabilities or competency; it’s not to fight for our own reputation or explain ourselves away sufficiently enough. It’s entrusting ourselves to a faithful Creator while doing good (1 Peter 4:19).
Nehemiah knew that the wall of Jerusalem would not get rebuilt unless the people maintained a big view of God, regardless of what struggles they encountered and stumbled over along the way. And the only way to maintain a right, clear view of a “great and awesome God” (Neh. 1:5) happens through worship. Worship stokes the flame of faith when you feel all but snuffed out.
So, what happened? While the people worked, they worshiped. And while they worshiped, they worked. Worship is God’s design so that when we are cast-down, when we are worn-out, and when we are off-kilter—we can nonetheless know that the joy of the LORD is our strength (Neh. 8:10).
What about you? Do you find yourself in a season of ‘rebuilding’? Where are you particularly tempted to feel discouraged and disappointed? Where are you downcast because life feels upended?
Worship. Declare out loud, perhaps through song, what is true of God as revealed in His Word… your heart will be re-established, your mind will be re-oriented, and your hands will be re-strengthened—to move forward and rebuild, regardless of what’s happening around you.
Maybe you’re not a ‘singer’ per se, but you can sing and you can listen to song. When we struggle to believe the truths of Scripture or struggle to feel its power, singing can help you get there.
It worked for Nehemiah’s people. The wall was rebuilt—under inordinate opposition. And it can work for you, too. As you fight to rebuild, remember—worship is more than singing. It is war.
