I loved how Nehemiah did not become discouraged despite ridicule, opposition, and even false allegations and character attacks. He prayed and continue to stay the course. When we are ridiculed or experience opposition we, too, should not become discouraged, but rather persevere through it, knowing that God will be with us as He has promised. When God calls us to do something, He will enable us to complete it, but we still have to be determined to get through any obstacles that may appear. Just because it's God's will, doesn't mean it will be easy. He is faithful, may we be so as well.
I also appreciated how the people worked together - some built the wall, while others stood guard. We, too, need to help one another.
We see in both Nehemiah 5 and in our NT passage God's concern for the poor and His intolerance for those who take advantage of people in tough situations for their own greed and profit. As believers, we should never exploit people, but rather be quick to help.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Nehemiah 7-9; Luke 20:1-26
3 comments:
I note in Nehemiah 6:16,
And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God
Here we see how other nations and people, who don't worship the same God the Israelites do, recognize how the God of the Israelites had mighty power. They obviously respected our God, even though they didn't know Him. Why wouldn't they then turn to our God? Do we see the mighty works of God, and not appreciate it by worshipping Him?
Good reminder Tammy that just because we are doing God's plan, it doesn't mean it will be easy.
47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.
People are threatened when someone calls them out on their sin. I think that's the reason that so may people are against Christianity because it calls people out on their sin and makes them accountable. We live in a society that wants to blame everyone else and not take responsibility for our own actions.
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