🔥 The Long Game: Why Finishing the Wall Was Only the Start
- Thad DeBuhr
- 3 minutes ago
- 7 min read
NEHEMIAH 30 Day Challenge: DAY 24
Have you ever hit a major, hard-won goal only to feel… empty? Maybe it was launching a business, completing a massive renovation, or finally finishing that big Bible-reading plan. For weeks, the adrenaline was high—you were energized, focused, and celebrated. But as soon as the project was finished, a strange kind of exhaustion set in. The applause died down. The cameras were packed away. You realize the toughest part wasn’t the building, but the boring, grinding commitment required to keep the thing running long-term. Suddenly, you're faced with the messy reality of maintenance, structure, and staff, and you think, "I don't have the energy for this part."
That feeling is universal, and it’s exactly where the Israelites found themselves after Nehemiah successfully rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. They had accomplished a miracle, yet the entire future of the city was still hanging by a thread. The dramatic work was over, but the sacrificial work was just beginning.
The Question is: Why did Nehemiah force a group of people to move into the rebuilt city, and what can their costly sacrifice teach us about building a spiritual life that actually lasts?
Before you dig into the story, I would encourage you to read through the passage in two different bible translations from this list: NIV, NLT, NASB, ESV, NKJV
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The YJJ Challenge: Are You Ready to Move into the City? 🚧
The people in Nehemiah's time had to choose a costly, uncomfortable life in Jerusalem so their faith could have a future. They traded safety for service; they chose the long-term health of the community over personal ease.
The Challenge for you today is personal: Are you content to stay in the comfortable suburbs, passively consuming the daily podcast? Or will you make the sacrificial leap into the demanding heart of the YJJ mission?
We need you to stop thinking of YJJ as a podcast you listen to and start seeing it as a movement you help staff. Your financial commitment, your professional skill, and your voice are the necessary infrastructure that turns a few hundred daily listeners into the thousands who need the Bible clarity we offer.
Don't just cheer from the wall; sacrifice to build the city.
Setting the Scene: The Costly Sacrifice of the "One-in-Ten"
Our passage, Nehemiah chapter 11, verses 1 through 12:26, reveals a crucial pivot point: moving from construction to consolidation.
The Unfinished Victory
The walls were finished and dedicated, but the city itself was dangerously empty. The surrounding countryside was safer, better for farming, and cheaper for raising a family. Jerusalem, while sacred, was now the guaranteed first target of any military attack, making it risky and economically demanding.
The Problem: The spiritual heart of the nation (the Temple) was protected, but the body (the city) lacked the essential population to function, thrive, and secure the Temple’s ongoing ministry. If the city wasn't populated and governed, the whole restoration would eventually crumble.
The Jewish Context: The Sacred Lot (Nehemiah chapter 11, verses 1 through 2)
To solve this population crisis, the leaders took drastic action:
"A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were. And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem." (Nehemiah chapter 11, verses 1 through 2, NLT)
The Sacred Lot: This wasn't a coin toss. Using lots (like marked stones or pieces of wood) was an ancient, biblical tradition (Proverbs chapter 16, verse 33) used to discern God's will in an important matter. By casting lots, the community affirmed that moving to Jerusalem was a divine calling, not just a human suggestion.
The "One-in-Ten" Sacrifice: Imagine being told you must relocate to the least safe, most expensive place you know for the sake of the nation. The people chosen were making a profound sacrificial commitment of personal comfort and security for the long-term structure and stability of the Kingdom of God. This act was immediately followed by praise for those who volunteered, showing that choosing sacrifice was an act of high honor.
The Blueprint for a Functioning City (Nehemiah chapter 11, verses 3 through 12:26)
The massive lists of names that follow are not meant to be read quickly; they are a staffing document designed to show that every essential function was covered. This is the structure being established:
The Civilian Residents (Judah and Benjamin): These people literally provided the heartbeat and physical presence of the city.
The Priests and Levites (The Ministry Staff): The lists dedicate the most space to the religious personnel. This was the structure that guaranteed the Temple ministry—worship, sacrifice, music, and instruction—would continue daily, not just when Nehemiah was around.
The Generational Plan (Nehemiah chapter 12, verses 1 through 26): Chapter 12 proves this wasn't temporary. It tracks the line of High Priests and establishes the chain of authority for future generations, ensuring continuity and order.
The Lesson: After the excitement of construction fades, the commitment to sacrificial living and meticulous organization is the only thing that sustains God's work long-term.
Your Next Step: Building the Wall of Reach for YJJ 💪
The Nehemiah story shows us this truth: real change needs real commitment. After the wall was built, people had to choose to move into the tough city just so it could survive and grow. We’re not asking you to move cities, but to make a simple, personal choice to build up our mission to reach thousands more.
What's the one thing God is nudging you to do right now to help make the YJJ mission bigger and stronger?
1. The Sacrifice of the Share (Momentum) 🗣️
The Commitment: You know this teaching works. Share the podcast link with two people you know need it.
The Impact: This is the equivalent of literally bringing new "residents" into the YJJ community. Every share expands the protective walls of our reach, connecting someone who is struggling to understand the Bible with the light of God's Word. You become a spiritual gatekeeper, opening the door for others to enter the journey.
2. Fund the Freedom (Sustaining) 💰
The Commitment: Commit to giving consistently and sacrificially—even a small, set amount—to cover the costs of our resources.
The Reality: We keep the daily Bible podcast, daily study guides, Journey Group training, coaching, and expanding ministry all 100% free to anyone who finds us. This is the Freedom we must protect. To maintain this freedom and grow, our financial foundation must expand.
The Gap: We currently have only 37–40 consistent monthly supporters—a tiny number compared to the thousands we reach across our social media and email list.
The Need: To move into the next phase (reaching tens of thousands), we urgently need the budget for strategic digital marketing, publishing, and essential part-time contractors to handle administrative work, editing, and promotions.
Leading the Charge: Founders Thad and Kaila have poured thousands from their savings and countless hours into people and ministry, continuing to lead by example and forgo a salary so the ministry can thrive. Your consistent commitment is critical to both funding the growth and allowing them to finally receive a real paycheck, honoring their sacrifice.
3. Give Us Your Superpower (Building) ✨
The Commitment: If you have high-value skills, sacrifice a few hours of that talent to help us build the necessary organizational "gates" and "streets."
The Fit: Are you a video editor who can create viral clips? A digital marketing expert who understands ad funnels? A graphic designer who can make our resources shine? A detailed administrator who can help manage our background tasks and operations.
The Challenge: Your talent builds our foundation. If you're not sure how your skills fit, that's okay! We need to know who is willing to help.
Your Call to Action: Take the Next Step
Choose one or more of these commitments today to help build the long-term structure and growth of YJJ:
Reach Out and Share: Share YJJ with your network of friends and family today.
Website: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YourJesusJourney
Fund the Freedom: Click Here to set up your monthly recurring donation.
Give Your Superpower: Email us and let's talk about how your skills and talents might be needed at YJJ.
Email: YourJesusJourney@gmail.com
Questions to Chew on and Discuss:
Your "One-in-Ten" Sacrifice: The people of God were required to give up comfort and economic safety for the stability of their sacred city. What "safe" or "comfortable" part of your life (time, resource, personal goal) is God asking you to sacrifice right now for the long-term stability and health of your spiritual community?
Excitement vs. Endurance: We often celebrate the "wall-builders" (the charismatic leaders or the big events). What necessary, unglamorous structure (like consistent prayer, quiet leadership training, or faithful giving) do you need to commit to that will ensure your spiritual life or ministry is healthy five years from now, not just five days from now?
Staffing God's House: Nehemiah was as concerned with counting singers and gatekeepers as he was with bricklayers. How does this passage challenge the modern idea that ministry can succeed on enthusiasm alone, without sound organization, skilled staffing, and clear lines of accountability?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Think about a time you achieved a really challenging goal (personal, professional, or spiritual). After the initial celebration or rush of success, what was the most unexpected or frustrating chore that became necessary to maintain what you had built? (Example: Finishing a marathon meant starting a new, boring stretching and physical therapy routine to avoid injury.)
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MORE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
Your Jesus Journey is an independent, non-denominational Christian ministry. We're fueled by God's grace and the generosity of our supporters. Our team—led by Pastor Thad and his wife Kaila—is made up of dedicated disciples from all over the United States. Together, we work to help people understand the Bible, find Christian friends, and grow as disciple-makers.
Be sure to grab our free E-Book, "Stop Reading the Bible Wrong: 7 Strategic Shifts that Change Everything." Just click the Free Gift button at the top of our website, and we'll send it to you today!
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To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!
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