day no. 16,465: rise up to raise up

Nehemiah 2:18

They said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

Strong foundations are poured by strong hands and laying groundwork often strengthens hands. As we rise up to build, we are built up. We grow strong as we build strong foundations and walls upon them. We conjure up our strength to begin the good work and are strengthened along the way as we commit to seeing it through. The spent one is often replenished, the one watering is watered, and the sacrificial is resurrected. 

Let us, then, like them, rise up to raise up. Let us build and in so doing be built up.  Let us strengthen our resolve to lay foundations where none exist. Let us make our land ready with the end in mind before we begin and continue on by faith what began in faith. Our faith, along with our hands, will be strengthened by the good work God prepared beforehand for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10)