A Finished Wall – An Unfinished City (Neh. 6-7)

[Sung Psalm: 48]

The wall is finished – but the city is not. After all, without a holy people you cannot have a holy city!

The census of the returned exiles is designed to connect Nehemiah wall-building with Zerubbabel's temple-building – and connect both of these to the overarching theme of the restoration of the city of God!

Our Psalm of response is Psalm 48 – a song that celebrates the presence of God in his holy city.

This is something we need to remember – in our own lives! God's presence – and his power – is what makes all the difference.

Psalm 48 speaks of how the kings of the earth assembled against Jerusalem (think of Sanballat and Tobiah – not kings, but rulers). But God's presence with his people – in his city – in his holy temple – this is what enables us to rest secure.