Is there something you have been meaning to do that you just don’t seem to get around to? Or when you do, you always feel nows not the time. Are you putting off a calling because you don’t feel ready or able? Do you have a vision for your life?
Learn from Nehemiah that all we really need for God to use us, is a willing heart.
Nehemiah was not a prophet nor a priest He held a job as cup-bearer to the king of Persia (a very prestigious position)
What I like about Nehemiah is that he is relatable because his calling was very well, non eventful. Ordinary if you will. See many of us love the drama of a grand gesture, a lightening bolt, you know the burning bush, the dream, some sort of a sign to prove we are called. But here’s the thing, sometimes the blessing is in simply serving God and being obedient in whatever little thing we are doing however insignificant it may seem. Paul says in Romans take your everyday ordinary life and present it as a living sacrifice, your getting up, your work, everything. Nehemiah was a layman, holding down a job but he was moved by a need that he saw, see there’s always some way we can serve. Are you paying attention to the needs around you or are you too preoccupied with your own challenges and your own life to make a difference in the life of someone else? Nehemiah was deeply concerned and moved by the state Jerusalem was in, he prayed and sought God’s forgiveness, mercy and direction on behalf of the jews and for the city of Jerusalem. We need to show concern for our families, friends, communities and cities. It’s not just about us. We are called to be the light. Make yourself available to be part of a solution instead of complaining about the problem. Nehemiah held a prestigious position in the Persian government as cup bearer to the King, im pretty sure that afforded him a comfortable life, he could have very well ignored the plight of Jerusalem but Nehemiahs heart was for His God and for his people and so he acted! Wheres your heart at? Jesus said where a mans heart is, his treasure is. Set your heart on the right things. As Christians our hearts should be on God and His purpose for our lives. We should love the things He loves and hate the thing’s He hates. Nehemiah was moved to act and as he did so, he received the favor of God with the King who supported his calling and over the work of his hands.
At first people thought it could not be done but as he started to make progress, the critics showed up! Don’t be surprised when you quietly going about your God given purpose, obedient to what you believe God has laid on your heart to do and your peace gets attacked, your motives and even the work itself gets questioned. Keep doing it anyway! Nehemiah was focused, determined and he was committed to God.
However some of the laborers and workers started to feel the pressure from the critics and they started singing this song
“So much rubble for us to haul! Worn out and weary, will we ever finish this wall?”
Nehemiah 4:10 CEV
But Nehemiah encouraged them by reminding them of God’s power
See the enemy can only criticize, he cannot create he can only try destroy what God is trying to build through you. Nehemiah was vigilant he organized a security detail and he kept working to complete the work he knew he was ordained to do. Oh there’s power and satisfaction in accomplishing the goal set before you! But it’s not going to be easy, it won’t be smooth, you have to push through, you have to keep praying, you have to keep believing but you gotta finish!
The jews who worked with Nehemiah were all armed with weapons while they worked. They were under threat but they didn’t stop the work. Talk about working under pressure!! You got to protect the vision God gave you! Fight to stay in your purpose. That’s where your blessing is, that’s where your joy is. What’s more powerful than a Christian operating in obedience and purpose?
Our enemies were trying to frighten us and to keep us from our work. But I asked God to give me strength.
Nehemiah 6:9
All the enemy has is fear. Trust God like Nehemiah. He knew that he knew that he knew that what he was doing was from God and because he stayed in prayer he was alert and wise to every device the enemy tried to use to distract him or make him give up. Pray, stay focused like Nehemiah.
When our enemies in the surrounding nations learned that the work was finished, they felt helpless, because they knew that our God had helped us rebuild the wall.
Nehemiah 6:16 CEV
Wow! Just like Nehemiah may you accomplish every goal the Lord has set before you. May you be moved to act in obedience to your calling. May God give you the wisdom and the skills necessary to complete your goals. Your critics will be silenced. Fight for your purpose! Be blessed as you serve God by fulfilling the purpose He put in you. Build! Build something that will leave an imprint in the hearts of others and be a beacon of hope to every believer coming up after you.
We can do it, despite distraction, threat, opposition. When God’s in it we cannot lose.