The Burden-Bearers - Nehemiah 4:10, 17

by Carl H. Stevens

"The strength of the burden-bearers is weakening, and there is much rubbish; we are not able to work on the wall" (Nehemiah 4:10, Amplified). How important do you think your prayer life is to the local assembly you are a part of? In this passage, we see that Nehemiah needed those who could bear great burdens. This was necessary to finish the wall.

As Nehemiah needed those people to carry these burdens, consider the even greater need your local assembly has for you to help carry its burdens to God. Each assembly needs those who will go to their "prayer closet" to intercede and petition God for those who are "working on the wall." There will often be obstacles that will prohibit the "wall" from being completed, but those who faithfully pray can persevere until they see the task accomplished.

The role of the burden-bearer cannot be emphasized enough. Consider verse 17a, "Those who built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves so that everyone worked." It was necessary for them to bear great loads so that those who worked could fight with one hand and work with the other. Their importance in getting the wall completed was vital; likewise, each church needs those who will be available in prayer. What an outstanding privilege it is to hold up other members in the Body of Christ by going to God in prayer and bearing their burdens.

Nehemiah 4:10,17 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.