The Wall Is Finished
15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they [k]lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished [l]with the help of our God. 17 Also in those days many letters went from the nobles of Judah to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. 19 Moreover, they were speaking about his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. Then Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.
Finally we learn how Judah’s enemies were able to stay so well-informed. They were married into the families of Jewish nobles, and those folks were blinded to the evil intentions of folks like Tobiah. It doesn’t seem these particular nobles knew what he was plotting exactly, or perhaps they didn’t think the wall could really be rebuilt. And then it was…
So once more, when God asks you to do something that people tell you is impossible, don’t get discouraged. And also, if someone around you is doing something for God that you think is impossible, wait a minute before you voice your “mere human” opinion. If you’re really concerned for them, ask God about it. Even better, pray that He will lead them and guide them and give them strength. And maybe you’ll even find yourself, like many of the Jews, involved in something bigger than yourself, something bigger than you thought possible.
Above all, listen for God’s voice, trust Him, and don’t be too quick to lean on your own understanding. Often God works in ways that seem foolish to our human “wisdom”, so seek for His wisdom and let Him guide your steps. That’s a sure recipe for fulfillment, even if it doesn’t make you wildly rich and successful by man’s standards.