Remember the Lord, Great and Awesome

Key Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14

Big Idea: When weakness, opposition, or discouragement comes, our confidence is not found in becoming stronger by ourselves. We remember who God is, look to what Jesus has accomplished, and keep walking in faith and obedience.

Summary

1. When opposition comes, remember the Lord

Nehemiah 4 shows God’s people facing opposition while rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. They were tired, discouraged, mocked, and threatened. Interestingly, the opposition became intense while the work was making visible progress.

“Sometimes the greatest discouragement comes when we are right in the middle of doing what God has called us to do.”

Nehemiah did not tell the people to focus on their own ability. He told them, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.” The answer was not to stare harder at the enemy, but to remember God.    

2. When you feel weak, remember who God is

Nehemiah did not deny the people’s weakness. Their strength really was failing, and their circumstances were difficult.

“Their weakness was real, but their God was greater.”

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient and Christ’s power is displayed in weakness. Our confidence does not come from how strong we are. It comes from who He is.    

3. The wall could be rebuilt, but the heart still needed redemption

Ezra and Nehemiah accomplished incredible things. The temple was rebuilt, God’s Word was restored, the walls were rebuilt, and joy returned. But one problem remained: sin.

“The wall was rebuilt, but the heart was still broken.”

God’s people needed more than restored walls. They needed restored hearts. Nehemiah’s story ultimately points to Jesus.    

4. Jesus is the greater Builder

Nehemiah left the palace and came to Jerusalem to rebuild what was broken, but he was not the final builder.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, “I will build my church.”

Nehemiah built a wall. Jesus builds His church. Nehemiah restored a city. Jesus restores His people. Nehemiah brought people back to Jerusalem. Jesus brings sinners back to God.   

5. The greatest victory came through the cross

God’s greatest work was not accomplished with a hammer and sword. He sent His Son to the cross.

Jesus declared in John 19:30, “It is finished.” Christ conquered sin and death and accomplished what we could never accomplish ourselves.

“Our hope isn’t that we will become strong enough to defeat sin. Our hope is that Jesus has already accomplished what we could never accomplish.”

The gospel is not “try harder.” It is “Christ has done it.”    

6. Remember who the Lord is

Remembering the Lord means more than remembering that God exists. It means remembering who He is. He is great. He is awesome. He is faithful. He is powerful. He is merciful. He is our Savior.

Ultimately, remembering the Lord means remembering Jesus: His incarnation, His cross, His resurrection, His finished work, and His promises. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. The Christian response to weakness is not self-confidence. It is Christ-confidence.    

7. Remember the Lord and keep walking

Remembering God does not lead to inactivity. Nehemiah and the people prayed, watched, worked, and refused to stop when opposition came.

“We don’t obey Jesus so that He will save us. We obey Jesus because He has saved us.”

Because we remember Him, we pray, trust, repent, obey, serve, and persevere. We do not do these things to earn grace, but because we have already received grace.    

Questions

1.    What does it practically look like to “remember the Lord” in a difficult situation?

2.    Why do you think discouragement can become especially strong when we are making progress?

3.    What is the difference between self-confidence and Christ-confidence?

Call to Action: What is one step we can take to put this into practice starting today?