Building Isn’t Just About Bricks—It’s About Obedience
Building With God: How to Work Diligently for the Kingdom of God—-in a world chasing hustle culture and personal gain, it’s easy to forget that believers are called to build something far more eternal—the Kingdom of God. But what does it really mean to “build with God”? And how can we work diligently without burning out or striving in our own strength?
If you’ve ever asked, “God, what am I really building for You?” or “How do I stay faithful in my calling?”—this post is for you.
What Does It Mean to Build with God?
To build with God means to align your purpose, plans, and progress with His will. It’s about doing things His way, in His time, and with His steps in mind.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about partnership. God is the Master Builder, and you are His co-laborer (1 Corinthians 3:9). Whether you’re planting a church, raising a family, starting a business, or healing from brokenness—you’re laying bricks for something eternal, which is the most important thing.
Biblical Example: Nehemiah
Nehemiah didn’t just rebuild a wall—he rebuilt a people. He prayed before he moved, he planned with strategy, and he worked with grit. All while under pressure, attack, and spiritual warfare.
“The God of heaven will give us success. We His servants will start rebuilding.” — Nehemiah 2:20
The Blueprint of a Builder: Lessons from Nehemiah
Nehemiah didn’t just lead a construction project—he led a movement. His story shows us that kingdom building requires prayer, planning, perseverance, and people.
Let’s walk through how Nehemiah built and what it teaches us about how we should be building on purpose:
1. He Was Burdened Before He Began (Nehemiah 1:4)
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”
The walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and Nehemiah was deeply moved. But notice—he didn’t run to fix the problem. He sat with the burden. He fasted. He prayed. He sought God’s heart before making a single move. And in that, God “initiated” the first move by allowing the king to notice Nehemiah’s fallen countenance, which unfolded everything else.
Kingdom principle: Don’t build what God hasn’t burdened you for.
Purpose is often revealed through a burden.
2. He Prayed Before He Plotted (Nehemiah 2:4-5)
When the king asked Nehemiah what he wanted, he prayed even in the moment before answering. Nehemiah didn’t just rely on planning—he partnered prayer with every next step.
Kingdom principle: Don’t move forward without consulting Heaven. Prayer is not just preparation; it’s strategy.
3. He Inspected the Land Before Building (Nehemiah 2:13-15)
Before announcing his plans publicly, Nehemiah went out at night and inspected the ruins for himself. He took time to observe, assess, and strategize privately before launching publicly.
Kingdom principle: Private preparation always precedes public impact. Count the cost before laying the bricks.
4. He Faced Opposition But Didn’t Stop (Nehemiah 4)
As the work began, so did the warfare. Nehemiah faced mockery, intimidation, and threats—especially from Sanballat and Tobiah. Yet, he refused to be distracted or discouraged. He set guards at the weak points, encouraged the workers, and kept one hand on the work and one hand on the weapon.
“Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.” — Nehemiah 4:17
Kingdom principle: When you build for God, expect resistance. Build anyway. And don’t come down off the wall for distractions.
5. He Cared for the People, Not Just the Project (Nehemiah 5)
When Nehemiah saw that some of the Jews were oppressing their own people financially, he confronted it immediately. He prioritized justice and integrity over just “getting the job done.” Unfortunately, we don’t see this a lot today because most are building for “self”, however, whenever God calls you to do a thing, He often is most concerned with your love + care for people in the midst of it all—–versus just the thing He’s called you to build itself.
Kingdom principle: You can’t build God’s Kingdom while ignoring God’s people. Character matters as much as construction.
6. He Refused to Be Distracted or Deterred (Nehemiah 6)
Sanballat and his crew tried to lure Nehemiah into meetings meant to delay or trap him. Nehemiah responded with one of the most iconic lines in Scripture:
“I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.” — Nehemiah 6:3
Kingdom principle: You can’t finish what God called you to build if you’re constantly entertaining distractions. Protect your focus.
7. He Completed the Work With God’s Help (Nehemiah 6:15-16)
Despite all odds, the wall was rebuilt in just 52 days. And it wasn’t just Nehemiah’s leadership that made it possible—it was the hand of God. You need His hand and His help.
“When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” — Nehemiah 6:16
Kingdom principle: When you build with God, the fruit speaks for itself—and even your enemies will know who helped you build.
Nehemiah didn’t start as a builder. He started as a cupbearer. But with prayer, obedience, strategy, and boldness, he became a reformer, a restorer, and a record-holder in the story of God’s people.
God still calls Nehemiahs today. Is your heart postured towards being prayerful, obedient, strategic, bold, and diligent for His work?
7 Ways to Work Diligently for the Kingdom of God
1. Stay Anchored in Prayer
Before you start anything—pray. Not as a ritual, but as a strategy. Prayer is where plans are revealed and strengthened.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1
2. Know Your Assignment
You’re not called to do everything—just the thing God assigned to you. Focused builders finish well.
Reflection Prompt:
What has God clearly asked you to build in this season?
3. Be Faithful in the Small Things
Kingdom work starts in the ordinary. Diligence isn’t loud—it’s consistent.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” — Luke 16:10
4. Keep Your Heart Pure
You can’t build God’s way with bitter bricks. Unforgiveness, envy, or striving will crack the foundation. Stay surrendered and soft-hearted.
5. Embrace Excellence, Not Perfection
God honors excellence—doing your best with what He gave you. Perfectionism paralyzes progress. Diligence is not about being flawless, but faithful. Remain faithful with the things He has given you to use, no matter how “unprepared” you feel.
6. Rest is Part of the Work
Even God rested. So should you. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s trust. It’s a declaration that the results are in God’s hands.
7. Let Fruit, Not Followers, Be the Goal
If no one claps, will you still build? If only one life is changed, will that be enough? Kingdom builders don’t chase fame—they bear fruit. For the “fruit” is the whole point!
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” — John 15:8
How to Know When to Rest vs. When to Build
One of the greatest challenges for believers is discerning when God is saying, “Go build,” and when He’s saying, “Be still.” Both are holy. Both are productive. But they serve different purposes in the Kingdom.
1. Rest Is Not Laziness—It’s Obedience
Many people confuse resting with giving up or falling behind. But biblically, rest is part of God’s rhythm. He instituted it at Creation (Genesis 2:2), commanded it in the Ten Commandments, and modeled it through Jesus, who often withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16).
Resting is not stepping out of your calling—it’s stepping back to regain vision.
Sometimes, God pauses the building to protect the builder. Rest is His way of replenishing you for the next phase, refining your character, or refocusing your priorities.
Ask yourself:
- Am I working out of calling or compulsion?
- Is my soul nourished or drained?
- When I pray, do I sense release or resistance?
2. Building Requires Grace for the Assignment
There will be times when God says, “It’s time to build,” even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or you don’t feel “ready.” But when He calls, He equips. You’ll find grace, supernatural endurance, and divine connections that affirm you’re in the right place.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good…” — Galatians 6:9
Here’s the key: When God is in it, your spirit may feel stretched, but not strangled.
3. The Holy Spirit Is Your Pace Setter
God doesn’t rush. He leads. Jesus never sprinted to His next miracle—He moved intentionally. Let the Spirit set the pace for your life.
Discernment Questions to Help You Know the Difference:
| Question | If it’s time to build… | If it’s time to rest… |
|---|---|---|
| What’s my current spiritual posture? | Eager to obey, even if unsure | Weary, scattered, or anxious |
| Is there clarity or confusion? | Clarity, peace, even if the details are unfolding | Confusion, burnout, or striving |
| What is the Holy Spirit prompting? | Go forward, take the next step | Wait, heal, or pause |
| Is the work producing fruit or frustration? | Fruit—even if slow | Frustration with no grace |
4. Even Builders Need Breaks
Nehemiah built under pressure, but even he paused to pray, to reset strategy, and to rally his team. Resting doesn’t mean you’re behind—it means you’re building with wisdom.
When You Feel Discouraged or Invisible
There will be seasons where it feels like nothing is working—trust me, I’ve been there. You’re not being seen. You’re sowing but not reaping. But hear this: God sees every brick you’re laying in secret. And He fulfills EVERY promise that He makes, so stay the course. Remain faithful. And keep building.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58
Final Thoughts: Build What Heaven Is Backing
Don’t build for applause. Build for impact. Don’t strive alone. Partner with Heaven. This is a very important factor.
God doesn’t need your hustle—He wants your yes. So, pray for as long as you need to. Fast for as long as you need to—until clarity comes. It’s imperative that we build only what God has called us to build—nothing more, nothing less.
So today, pick up your tools again. Lay one more brick. Pray one more prayer. Speak one more truth. You’re not just building a platform—you’re building the Kingdom. And like Jesus often reminded us—–the things of the Kingdom are the only things that shall remain.
A Word for the Weary:
If you’re in a rest season, don’t despise it. It’s sacred. Lean into the Lord with all your might.
If you’re in a building season, stay faithful and don’t rush the process. Pray for renewed strength, faith, and hope so that you don’t grow weary in your well-doing.
Both seasons are spiritually important. Both are required. And both will build you as you build “that thing”.
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