Nehemiah 4 – Rally Point

In 1998 I went through the Primary Leadership and Development Course (PLDC) at the NCO Academy. It’s a two-week course required for all Non-Commissioned Officers. While the first week of leadership training was primarily academic, the second was held “in the field”, and consisted of a number of mission type scenarios. That week was one of the first opportunities we had to put into practice some of the critical elements we learned at Basic Combat Training.

It was there that I first realized the value of a “rally point”. When on a mission, if a platoon gets separated, their goal is to reassemble at a designated point along the way. It’s a critical part of the default game plan. There’s no personal “Rambo” mission that anyone goes on. There are no decisions to be made in a moment of isolation, fear, or desperation. You simply do whatever you have to do to get to the rally point. And from that place together, you’ll act. It’s amazing how comforting it is to know that if everything goes crazy, you know exactly what to do and where to go.

“Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!" – Nehemiah 4:19-20

This has so many applications in life. Whether it’s about focus, mission, or recovery, it’s always about doing so together and in a certain way (“Way” is God’s expertise by the way). It’s about (1) the power of community in mission and recovery, (2) the responsibility of the leader to make sure everyone knows the “standard operating procedures” and rally points, (3) the responsibility of the individual to get to that place of refuge when they hear the trumpet sound, and (4) the role of the informed to help the uninformed, confused, or possibly wounded.

Much can be done from this place. So the question is, what’s your trumpet sound and where’s your rally point?

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.” – Isaiah 11:10

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” – 2 Samuel 2:31