Halfway ThereA Study in Nehemiah

“‘You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach’…Then they set

their hands to do this good work”

(Neh. 2:17-18) 

LET USBUILD

When Starting Something New:Excitement, Zeal, Passion, Dreams, Positive Attitudes

“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined

together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to

work”Nehemiah 4:6

Discouragement Sets In

“We are not able to build

the wall”(2:10)

Halfway There The The

halfway halfway point is point is

often the often the most most discouragingdiscouraging part part

Are You at the Halfway Point?

• In your walk with God?

• In parenting your children?

• In your work with the church?

• Individual goals/commitments?

• In your marriage?Why is it so hard to push

through the halfway point?

Causes forDiscouragement at the Halfway Point

• Exhaustion – “The strength of the laborers is failing” (2:10)–“My spirit is overwhelmed within

me; my heart within me is distressed…my spirit fails!” (Psa. 143:4,7)

• Distracted – “there is so

much rubbish”– Discouraged by looking

at what has to be done instead of what has already been done

– “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox” (Prov. 14:4)

Causes forDiscouragement at the Halfway Point

• Exhaustion – strength failing

• Distracted - by rubbish

• Hopeless – not able to build–Elijah – “It is enough! Now Lord

take my life” (1 Kings 19:4)

• Fear – our adversaries

AshdodAmmon

Tobiah

SamariaSanballat

ArabsGeshem

SOLUTION:Pushing Past the Halfway Point

• Remember on whom you rely – “Do not be afraid of them, remember the Lord, great and awesome”– Take eyes off distractions, rubbish, opposition and

put eyes on almighty God– Peter sank when took eyes off Christ (Mt. 14:30)– “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Ro. 8:31)– “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly

above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20)

SOLUTION:Pushing Past the Halfway Point

• Remember who you are fighting for - “fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives”– Unselfish service – serve others– Unite with fellow laborers – Build walls with faithful brethren not from

brethren • Return to the task – “all of us

returned to the wall, everyone to his work”

Don’t QuitHalfway!

• Finish the race 2 Tim. 4:7

• Count the cost & finish Lk 14:28-30

• Don’t let rocks & thorns destroy your faith Mt. 13:20-23

• End better than beginning Ecc. 7:8