What kind of legacy are you building? This question confronted Alfred Nobel when he mistakenly read his own obituary in 1888. The headline called him "the merchant of death" because he had invented dynamite. Disturbed by how he would be remembered, Nobel decided to change the trajectory of his legacy by establishing the Nobel Prizes, which have recognized numerous people and organizations for contributions to peace, literature, and scientific development. This story raises two important questions for all of us:
- What will people say about you when you're gone?
- Are you building something that will die with you or live beyond you?
The truth is, each of us is writing our own obituary one choice at a time. Legacy isn’t built in a moment; it is written over a lifetime of decisions. If we want to leave behind more than memories, if we want to leave behind meaning, then we must be intentional about building a legacy that will last.
Why Building Legacy Matters
One of the greatest purposes God gives us in life is to build something that will outlive us—to leave behind more than a memory, but a legacy. When you start thinking about the next generation, you stop living for yourself. Your perspective shifts to one question: How can I serve today in a way that shapes tomorrow?
That’s exactly what we see in Nehemiah 4. The people of God were sitting in despair. Their city was in ruins, walls torn down, gates burned, and diminished to rubble. And worse, the people had settled into that lifestyle of brokenness. They thought, “This is just the way it is now. It’ll never be what it once was.” But then God raised up a man named Nehemiah. He didn’t just see broken walls; he saw broken lives. And with a wind of Heaven in his sails, he set out not only to rebuild stone and mortar, but to restore a future for God’s people.
How Do You Build Beyond Yourself?
- Understand the Priority of Your Mission
"So built we the wall... for the people had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6).
Shortly after Nehemiah arrived, opposition began. The moment Nehemiah picked up a brick, the enemy was ready to battle. That’s how it always works. The second you decide, “I’m going to build something for God,” don’t be surprised when the enemy tries to tear it down. Spiritual progress always attracts opposition.
Nehemiah’s story teaches us a spiritual principle: whenever heaven calls us forward, the demonic realm will push back. Paul warned Timothy of the same thing: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). If you’ve made up your mind to glorify God, buckle up—you will face resistance.
That’s why Peter shouts a warning in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Make no mistake, Satan is not your friend. Satan is a liar, he’s a murderer, and he wants to dismantle everything you are trying to build for God’s glory. But here’s the good news: when God gives you a mission, the demonic realm has no authority to stop it. So remember your mission and move forward in the powerful grace of God.
The Enemy's Favorite Tactic: Ridicule
Satan's primary weapon against Nehemiah wasn't physical warfare but malicious words. The enemy didn't use swords; he used ridicule and sarcasm. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the Jews, calling them "feeble" and saying their wall was so poorly built that even a fox could break it down.
Our enemy knows that words can wound deeper than physical blows. The devil knows that ridicule can derail you from becoming what God wants you to be. But thankfully, there's something more powerful than ridicule—our Redeemer! Let the Apostle Paul's words encourage you—“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
- Understand the Presence of Opposition
"When Sanballat and the others heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall were being repaired, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it" (Nehemiah 4:7-8).
You can't build walls for God's kingdom and expect Satan to be silent. The enemies of Nehemiah represent those voices in the world that mock us, threaten us, and try to stall God's work.
When Sanballat mocked, when Tobiah jeered, when the enemies plotted, Nehemiah didn’t get distracted. He kept his eyes on the promise, not the problem. He told the people, “Remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14).
That’s the heartbeat of building beyond yourself—you’re not just building for today, you’re fighting for tomorrow. You’re stacking bricks for your children, your grandchildren, and for a testimony that will outlive you.
How Nehemiah Responded to Opposition
- He prayed first(v.4-5, 9): "Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto God." The battles you face are not won while standing on your feet, but rather down on your knees in prayer.
- He set a watch(v.9): "We set a watch against them day and night." The devil is relentless—you need to be vigilant about what enters your home and heart.
- He remembered God's greatness(v.14): "Remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
- Understand the Power of Participation
"I set the people with their swords, their spears, and their bows" (Nehemiah 4:13).
Notice what Nehemiah did here—he didn’t call in the experts. He didn’t hire professionals from another city. He said, “Families, grab a weapon. Stand on the wall. This is your fight.”
- Everyone had a role
- Everyone had a weapon
- Everyone had a place on the wall
That’s how the work of God gets done, when everybody gets involved. Nehemiah didn’t have spectators; he had participants. Every church member should be a serving member. Too many approach church like a buffet—they feast on the fellowship, music, and preaching but never "pay the bill" by serving or giving. If you're a member of a local church, you should take care of your church and do your part to help it thrive. What a wonderful legacy to write!
- Understand the Perspective of Leadership
"The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another... Our God shall fight for us" (Nehemiah 4:19-20).
Nehemiah saw the big picture—the task was too large for them to accomplish in their own strength. But he reminded them that God was their defender, deliverer, and defense. They weren't working in their own power but with God's strength. Nehemiah wasn't building a wall for headlines; he was building for heritage. He was thinking about future generations who would benefit from his work today, and he urged the people to think the same way.
Life Application
- Are you building something that will outlast you? Consider these questions:
- What legacy are you creating through your daily choices and priorities?
- How are you investing in the next generation?
- What would people say about your faith, your character, and your impact if you were gone tomorrow?
- In what areas of your life are you living selfishly rather than thinking generationally?
This week, take one concrete step toward building a legacy that honors God. Perhaps it's serving in a new capacity at church, investing time in mentoring a younger person, or making a financial commitment to support ministry that will continue beyond your lifetime.
Remember, it's not about your ability, it's about your availability. Say to God today, "Lord, I'm available. Use my talent, my treasure, and my time to advance Your kingdom, oppose the enemy, and write a legacy for generations to come."
Missional Until He Comes,
Dr. David L. Sampson
Titus 1:3