This week concludes our study on Nehemiah. We see the triumph of the people who together as one revitalized their city. They expressed their joy in a mass parade with two bands and two large choirs which marched around the wall of the city to the temple where they praised God.

When you buy a home, you first want a foundation without cracks because if the foundation has problems, so does everything else! We talk to our children about the importance of building a strong educational foundation to be successful in subsequent endeavors, such as college or job. In the same way, God provides people with a solid foundation so that our cities and communities can thrive. That information is found in the Bible!

We celebrate all fathers on Sunday and hope that you set the good example of coming to worship as we carry on with the message of Nehemiah. He is a great man to learn from. This week, just a short time before his project is complete, that persistent opposition rears its ugly head once again. This time it is personally threatening. What will Nehemiah do? How will he come out of it victoriously?

Jesus said those words . . . no wait, he actually said, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets” (Mt. 7:12). That’s a lofty vision, but then it was the Lord of lords who said it. Our Lord has provided our core; our starting point; the center of God’s will for us. The question is, how do we get there?

Sunday is graduation day. We will remember the importance of education in the family of God. God tells us to teach our children not only God’s laws but also the stories of how God’s children have walked by faith. We are part of that story. We also pray for our nation at this time of deep distress and immense turmoil; I hope you are praying each day. God, through Christ, is the only one who will get us through.

Nehemiah knew he could not rebuild his city without all of its citizens. In fact, people came not just from the city, but also from eight surrounding townships. All of the people felt a sense of community ownership. This week we learn how this massive job of rebuilding was accomplished.

Do you believe that you can overcome anything? You probably give an easy ‘yes!’ But ask someone in the midst of problems and it becomes not-so-easy. Nehemiah developed some principles for overcoming which are very helpful today. One of them was “looking problems straight in the face.” We will talk about how he–and we–can do that very thing today, with our own circumstances.

In last week’s Scripture, Nehemiah prayed “Give me success today.” And the day passed. Then another, and another. We don’t know his thoughts about it. This week we join him 3-4 months later to see the outcome. Was his risk worth it? I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

This week we will see how a good leader begins. What made Nehemiah care? How did he determine the steps to take? Who would be his partner? What was he being called to do? The answers to those questions are there in this first lesson. Perhaps this will guide us at our own difficult time of rebuilding our cities and nation.