Good Morning Sunshine! The Rubbish That You See Is What’s Revealing His Reward In You!

Nehemiah 4:10 (NKJV) ~ “Then Judah said, ‘The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”

There comes a time in every believer’s life when the rubble of the past seems overwhelming. Nehemiah and his people stood in the midst of broken stones, burnt gates, and scattered debris as they tried to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. The ruins reminded them of loss, defeat, and destruction. Yet in that very place of discouragement, God was calling them to build again. The same God who helped Nehemiah clear physical rubbish is here helps you to clear the spiritual debris that clutters your heart. What you see as ruin, He sees as the beginning of restoration.

The people in Nehemiah’s day were tired, not only from physical labor, but from emotional weight. The rubbish was not just in the streets; it was in their spirits. That’s often how you feel when you try to rebuild after disappointment, loss, or sin. The remnants of what was once strong can make you believe that what is ahead is impossible. But Psalm 147:3 reminds you, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God never begins His work in a perfect place; He begins in a broken one. He meets you among the ruins and restores what was lost piece by piece.

Sometimes, before you can see the beauty of rebuilding, God must help you deal with the rubbish. That may include unhealthy attachments, pride, fear, or memories that still haunt you. It’s the spiritual debris that blocks your progress. Just as Nehemiah had to organize and remove the rubble to lay a new foundation, you must allow the Holy Spirit to clear away what no longer belongs. Isaiah 43:18–19 declares, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth.” The new cannot rise until the old is removed.

It’s easy to get weary when the work feels endless. Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing.” Have you ever reached that point, tired of rebuilding, tired of believing, tired of starting over? But the truth is, your exhaustion doesn’t cancel your calling. Galatians 6:9 encourages you, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” God knows when you’re weak, and that’s when His strength becomes your supply. The rubble may be great, but His grace is greater.

The rubbish also represents the voices that try to convince you that rebuilding is useless. In Nehemiah’s story, opposition came from every side. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the builders, saying their wall wouldn’t stand. Likewise, the enemy still whispers lies when you begin to rebuild your life, your faith, or your dreams. But remember Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” God will silence the ridicule and establish your work in righteousness. What the enemy calls worthless, God calls worthy of His touch.

Sometimes you struggle not with external rubble but with internal remains, the clutter of self-doubt, regret, or comparison. These are the piles of spiritual debris that make it hard to see progress. But God’s word in 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 gives you a powerful tool, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” You have divine power to demolish anything that stands between you and your rebuilding season. Let the Spirit tear down what’s holding you back, and let His peace rebuild what was broken.

Nehemiah’s story also teaches you that God sends help to the faithful. When the people grew weary, God sent encouragement through unity and leadership. The builders worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other. That’s what faith looks like, you build while you battle. You keep laying bricks of prayer and blocks of obedience even when it’s hard. Psalm 127:1 reminds you, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” When God is your builder, even the rubbish has purpose.

There’s a hidden beauty in the rubble, because it reveals what remains unshaken. What was destroyed exposes what still stands. Your brokenness uncovers the foundation of God’s faithfulness. When you look back and see what didn’t survive, don’t grieve over what’s gone; thank God for what endured. Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.” Every piece of debris is a testimony that you’re still here, God preserved what mattered most.

You may not see the full wall yet, but you’re further than you think. God specializes in turning what looks like rubbish into restoration. Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Even your broken pieces are being repurposed for His glory. Don’t despise the process; it’s building something lasting. The ruins of yesterday are becoming the testimonies of tomorrow.

Today, look around the rubble of your life and invite God into it. Ask Him to give you eyes to see beyond the debris. The rubbish is temporary, but the rebuilding is eternal. Once you let Him clear away what doesn’t belong, you’ll stand stronger than before. Like Nehemiah, you’ll finish the work and declare, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” What looked like ruin will reveal His reward, the glory of a life rebuilt by grace

Let’s Pray:

Father, I come to You in the middle of my rebuilding season. Sometimes the rubble feels too heavy, and my strength feels too small. But I thank You that Your Word promises in Isaiah 40:29, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” You are my builder and my sustainer. Clear away everything in me that hinders Your work. Lord, help me to see that the rubbish in my life is not the end, it’s the beginning of renewal. Teach me to release the weight of old things, the debris of disappointment, and the remnants of regret. Let 2 Corinthians 5:17 be my reminder: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Forgive me for the times I’ve grown weary in the rebuilding process. Help me not to despise small beginnings or slow progress. Strengthen my hands for the work, Lord. Let Philippians 4:13 echo in my heart: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Father, reignite my faith to believe that the wall will stand again. When the enemy whispers that it’s too late or too broken, silence his lies with Your truth. You said in Jeremiah 30:17, “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.” Heal me, Lord, from the inside out. Replace every brick of fear with a stone of faith. Let my rebuilding glorify You. Thank You for being patient with me in the process. When I can’t see progress, remind me that You’re still working. Just as Nehemiah faced opposition but never quit, help me to persevere until Your promises come to pass. Let the joy of Your presence sustain me when my strength fails. Father, help me to identify and remove the spiritual rubbish in my life, bitterness, pride, and unbelief. Sweep through my heart and make room for Your Spirit. I want a clean foundation built on Your Word and Your truth. Let my life become a temple of praise, not cluttered by the past but filled with Your glory. Father, teach me to see purpose in every broken piece. You are the God who rebuilds ruins and makes all things new. When I look at the debris, let me see destiny. When I see ashes, let me expect beauty. Let Isaiah 61:3 manifest in my life, “to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Lord, unite me with others who are rebuilding in faith. Surround me with encouragers, not critics, builders, not breakers. Make me a voice of strength to those still standing in their rubble. Help me to lift others while You lift me. Father, I thank You that You never leave any wall unfinished. What You start, You will complete. I declare Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” I trust You with the process and praise You for the promise. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Nugget:

Sometimes God allows what you once valued to fall apart so you can find what truly matters, Him!

Blessings…

Love Dr. Jean