Do Not Give Up 06.08.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday June 8, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read Chapters 4-6 in your Bible or Click Here to read. biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehimiah%204-6&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the opposition and ridicule that the builders faced as they rebuilt the walls; Nehemiah's prayer; weapons for the workers; evils being corrected; plots of the adversaries; and the completion of the walls. Today's reading focuses on the importance of not giving up on following God's Will no matter how much opposition we face.

The first exiles who returned had resided among the debris in Jerusalem and its suburbs for more than ninety years without completing the walls. Nehemiah was determined to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, even though there was fierce opposition. "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?" (Nehemiah 4:1-2).

In order to keep them safe he armed his workers, "And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses." (4:12-14).

Sanballat again attempted to stop their work, "Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (6:1-3). After Sanballat made five attempts to meet with Nehemiah, he then accused him of rebelling against the king of Persia (6:5-7). Eleven times it is recorded that Nehemiah prayed and encouraged the people. Their faith had also been strengthened through the reading of God's Word.

Once we recognize that the battle is the Lord's and God is the One who allows the opposition, we will not panic. Instead, we will seek to learn what the Lord expects of us in order to qualify to have our prayers answered. People of faith, though a minority, will always find a way to accomplish God's will. In serving the Lord, one great temptation is that many will find excuses to wait for a more convenient time rather than to put the Lord first and do their best with what they have. "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:4-5)

Consider each detail in Nehemiah's conduct that made it possible to complete the walls in less than ninety days. Do not expect a lot of people to be happy that you are a dedicated Christian. But, the opposition and testing will make your faith more precious than gold and will show you who your true friends are.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through Nehemiah and other Jews who had bought back some Jews who had been sold to the heathen as slaves while in Persia (Nehemiah 5:8). We, who were purchased with His own blood were redeemed when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You have great purpose for our lives and for the legacy we leave for those who follow.  In our journey there are  bitter waters from which we drink and there are sweet fragrances that fill our nostrils. Through it all You work to bring the good out of bad circumstances, all the while reminding us of our calling to live according to Your Will.  May we be trusting in the hard times and faithful all the time. In Jesus' name.......Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day!
God Bless,
Christina

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